The 2021-22 Season starts today

The Macron Suffolk and Ipswich League kicks off it’s 125th season this afternoon with six Senior Division games.

Benhall St Mary host Ipswich Vale Exiles in a game where the team who were leading the table before the Covid disruption entertain a newly named side with the old Bourne Vale United and Ipswich Exiles becoming Ipswich Vale Exiles. Think this will be a tight game and could be a draw.

Bildeston Rangers v Achilles is a game where last seasons Senior Cup finalists entertain a team who were at the wrong end of the table when it finished last season. Achilles under new management will be a tougher nut to crack this term but i feel Bildeston Rangers will have the edge and should win this game.

Capel Plough v Halesworth Town is another game where one team in this case Capel Plough struggled to find any consistency last season as against Halesworth who seem destined to be near the top again. A narrow away win for this game.

Claydon v Trimley Red Devils are two sides who were just below the top teams last season and either could win this one. It could be down to who takes their chances on the day and who does not but a one goal difference to the home side is my guess.

Henley Athletic v Leiston St Margarets will a feel be a home victory. Leiston St Margarets are in the process of rebuilding under a new manager and Henley Athletic are very strong at home. So a home win for me in this game.

Westerfield United v Coplestonians has the looks of being a very close game. Coplestonians are always a well drilled team playing good football but Westerfield United have been recruiting new players in the close season and this i feel could be a draw.

Come 4-30pm today we will see who tops the table after the first round of fixtures for the Senior teams. Also we will see if my predictions are close or way off the mark. I am sure all teams will go out on a damp afternoon to represent their clubs to the best of their abilities.

Also a mention to the men in black who will be giving judgement during the ninety plus minutes. Every one of these officials is there to enjoy the afternoon as much as the players.

Good luck and enjoy to all and stay safe

A round up of all the results will be posted this evening.

Alan Sparkes

Macron SIL Fixture Secretary

Well I certainly got two games very wrong. Achilles had a very good result at Bildeston Rangers. I also thought Benhall St Mary and Ipswich Vale Exiles would be a draw. The team from Bourne Vale went home with the three points. Halesworth did win at Capel Plough and Henley overcame a Leiston St Margarets side very easily, I thought the Claydon v Trimley Red Devils game would be decided by one goal and so it proved. The other game between Westerfield United and Coplestonians i thought would end in a draw. My thoughts were 0-0 or 1-1 but it finished up 5-5. In the end I got 4 out of the 6 correct, not to bad a start. So todays six games produced 36 goals and was a glorious day for spectators.

Next week I will select a couple of games from each of the divisions to guess the outcome

Each week it would be good to have a guest guess the results also. Anyone wishing to have a try ring or text me on 07719204991. Perhaps we can have someone different every week.

Alan Sparkes

7th August 2021