Rick Andrews has urged his Stowmarket Town side not to make another slow start when they visit Brantham Athletic tomorrow (3pm), writes Alex Moss.

Andrews’ side have conceded a goal in the first 10 minutes in each of their last three games, a statistic which has led to a draw and two defeats and seen them drop to fourth in the Thurlow Nunn League Premier Division table.

Third-placed Brantham, who climbed above Stow last weekend, have lost just twice in their last 18 games and could move four points clear of their visitors with a victory tomorrow afternoon.

“We need to learn to start quicker so we’re not chasing games,” the Stow boss said.

“You can’t keep coming back from deficits, it’s going to catch up with you eventually and Saturday was that day.”

Stow slipped to their third defeat in four games last weekend, as Kirkley & Pakefield became the first team to do the double over Andrews’ side in the Premier Division this season.

Liam Harvey-Cooper opened the scoring at Greens Meadow in the eighth minute, before Lewis Hammond doubled their lead on 32 minutes.

Luke Read pulled a goal back for Stow nine minutes into the second half but, despite an improved performance after the break, the Old Gold and Blacks were unable to find an equaliser and lost further ground in the promotion race.

It promises to be an intriguing clash at Brantham Leisure Centre tomorrow afternoon, and Andrews admits it is games against the top teams in the division which his newly-promoted side truly relishes.

“As I’ve said to the boys, and I’ve said it several times before, we want to be involved in the big games,” Andrews said.

“Last Saturday was massively disappointing, but if we go and beat Brantham, and then Felixstowe next week, people will forget about it.

“The aim is to carry on and win as many games as possible and improve as a group.”

Billy Clark’s loan spell with the club ended last week, with the midfielder returning to Needham Market, while Ethan Clarke has rejoined Felixstowe & Walton United.