CONTRASING FORTUNES AT CROWN MEADOW

 

After a season of struggle in 2021/22 which ended in relegation from The Southern League Premier Central Lowestoft Town find themselves back at Step Five for the first time since the 2009/10 campaign when The Trawler Boys were crowned Champions of the Isthmian League Division One (North) and were promoted for the second time in two seasons. 

Jamie Godbold's side have made a perfect start to their league season winning all eight of their games played scoring 25 goals and letting in just 3. The Suffolk side did lose to Step Five Sheringham in the FA Cup First Qualifying Round and at league rival's Wroxham in the FA Trophy Second Qualifying Rounding - they lost 5-1 at Trafford Park after winning 0-3 in the league just a few days earlier. They did win 1-4 at Walsham-Le-Willows in the Suffolk Premier Cup Round One on Tuesday. 

Jake Reed with 8 goals, Adam Hipperson (a summer signing from Dereham Town) with 5 goals and Chris Henderson on 4 goals have been in great goal scoring form in league fixtures. 

FORTHCOMING FIXTURES 

Saturday 15th October - Hullbridge Sports 

Saturday 22nd October - GRAYS ATHLETIC 

Saturday 29th Octover- Hashtag United 

One of Lowestoft Town's victories came in a very local derby as they beat their tenant's 6-1 in a home game for The Greens in front of 549 people on Tuesday 4th October.  After winning the Thurlow Nunn Premier Division last season and promotion to Step Five for the first time in their history it's been a difficult campaign so far. They are ground sharing at Crown Meadow for the 22/23 season whilst their new home at Church Lane is completed. 

Manager Scott Butler departed midway through September which ended a near two-decade association with the club. 

He has been replaced by Darren Cockrill whose first game in charge was Tuesday night's narrow 1-0 defeat at Heybridge Swifts. He included Henry Pollock (signed on loan from Lowestoft Town) and Josh Okpolokpo (from Leiston) in the starting XI of the game at Scraley Road. 

The only win they have so far was on the opening day of the season in the FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round at home to Biggleswade United which ended 4-0. They went on to lose to Ipswich Wanderers in the next round and at home to Coggeshall Town in the FA Trophy which ended 1-1 with the visitors winning 7-6 on spot kicks. 

They have lost all seven of their league games so far. 

The Greens next game is on Saturday when they host Basildon United and another home game in midweek to Stowmarket Town. The Bees are another club under new management with Darren Manning and James Wakeling appointed as joint managers this week. The Duo are re-united from their successful spell with Hullbridge Sports where they achieved promotion from Step Five to Step Four. 

Wakeling had recently been in charge at Essex Senior League side Southend Manor with Manning in charge of South East Counties League side Welling Town last season and had been part of the coaching staff at Barking for the first part of this season. 

FORTHCOMING FIXTURES 

Saturday 15th October - BASILDON UNITED 

Tuesday 18th October - STOWMARKET TOWN 

Saturday 22nd October - East Thurrock United