MANAGER Jamie Bradbury says Wednesday’s Suffolk Premier Cup tie presents an opportunity for his Long Melford players to ‘get back on the horse’ after their heavy defeat on Saturday.

Long Melford, who had won three and drawn one of their four home league games this season, were humbled 6-0 in front of their own supporters by Woodbridge Town in the Thurlow Nunn League Premier Division. Long Melford’s Pablo Chaves (black & White striped shirt) is pictured above in possession during the match.

The result was hardly ideal preparation for Wednesday’s first-round tie at Stoneylands versus Felixstowe & Walton United, who play a step higher up the non-league pyramid in the Bostik League North.

Bradbury said: “I hope it was just a bad day at the office, but we weren’t at the races in the first-half. Woodbridge’s league position belies the fact that they are one of the best sides in the division and they will prove that by finishing high up.

“The only two sides we have played who are as good as them are Haverhill Rovers and Stowmarket Town. Woodbridge moved the ball well and were clinical in front of goal, and we didn’t make the most of our possession and opportunities.”

Despite Saturday’s debacle, Bradbury is looking forward to his side testing themselves against opponents who were without a fixture at the weekend.

He said: “We definitely have nothing to lose and we want to get back on the horse as quickly as possible. Some of the lads who have been waiting patiently for a chance will get an opportunity, but we can’t make too many changes because of county cup rules, which is a bit frustrating.

“We feel we have a strong and big squad who are of a similar standard – we don’t have any superstars – and if players do well then they keep the shirt.

“Felixstowe & Walton are a good side and it will be interesting to test ourselves against them and see if we can be at the level we know we can be on our day.”

The first fixture in this season’s competition kicks-off 24 hours earlier on Tuesday and also pits Thurlow Nunn League Premier Division side against Bostik League North opposition.

Higher-league Mildenhall Town will have home advantage against a Stowmarket Town side who hope to be playing at that level next season.

Stowmarket, who finished third last season, are one of the favourites to win the league this season and currently occupy second spot following a 1-1 draw at home to leaders Histon on Saturday.

Mildenhall, meanwhile, lost 4-3 at home to Heybridge Swifts at the weekend and are in tenth spot.

The second round of this season’s Suffolk Boys’ Under-19 Midweek Cup takes place with one tie on Wednesday and seven on Thursday.

Midweek Fixtures

Tuesday

Suffolk Premier Cup First Round: Mildenhall Town v Stowmarket Town (7.45pm).

Wednesday

Suffolk Premier Cup First Round: Long Melford v Felixstowe & Walton Utd (7.45pm).

Suffolk Boys’ Under-18 Midweek Cup Second Round: Leiston v Haverhill (7.45pm).

Thursday

Suffolk Boys’ Under-18 Midweek Cup Second Round: AFC Sudbury v Kirkley & Pakefield Royals, Felixstowe & Walton Utd v Woodbridge Town, Framlingham Town v Stowmarket Town, Kirkley & Pakefield v Beccles Town, Mildenhall Town v Waveney, Needham Market v Whitton Utd, Walsham-le-Willows v Sporting 87.