Pitching In Isthmian Supporters Predictions 26-27: Felixstowe and Walton United

We asked supporters of our Pitching In Isthmian League clubs to preview the new season, reflect on the old and predict the final outcome. Their predicted 1-22 will be worked into a final table which you will see shortly. 

Thinking about last season, what were your highlights?

The start to the campaign, where after an opening day defeat at Waltham Abbey we only conceded 4 goals in the next 15 unbeaten games was particularly satisfying. Beating Maldon & Tiptree a week before they were playing at Port Vale in The FA Cup was a great afternoon too, played out in front of over 1,000 fans. But in terms of a single memory, trailing at Brightlingsea Regent 3-1 after 81minutes and winning the game 3-4 will live long in the memory.  

And what was the worst moment?

The return fixture at the Slumdog Millionaires of Maldon was a bitterly disappointing day out. We matched them for 30 minutes or so but once they took the lead there was only ever one winner, and 4-0 was a fair result.  It’s a shame for their long-standing fans that 25/26 was most likely their zenith.  But the very worst moment was saved, as has happened too often in the recent past, for the play-off semi-final stage, when a very good Redbridge side rolled into town and won 2-3 to reach the play-off final.  

Which member of your squad was your Player of the Season - and why?

We are very lucky to have a squad laden with talent, and any number of players could have walked away with this award.  Toby Stevenson was quite rightly named managers, players and supporters’ player of the year, and he gets my vote too. An extremely versatile defender with a knack of popping up with vital goals from free kicks and even direct from corners.  A notable mention also for right back Ollie Caley-Brown, who must have covered every single blade of grass on the Martello Ground pitch.

Moving on to your current squad - which players do you think will make a big impact during the 26/27 campaign?

It’s great to have Callum Harrison back after a season at Regent. His dynamism and never say die attitude will bring us plenty of goals I’m sure.  The other new lads have impressed during pre-season. Maxwell Statham and Luke Allen look primed and ready to hit the ground running, but for me the real excitement is with the arrival of Lester Ward.  Lester has already scored a couple of beauties in pre-season and has a sweet left foot.  Once he has played a few games on the wing with LB Tom Warren overlapping, I think we will see plenty of chances created for the likes of Josh Mayhew and Jose Santa De La Paz to feed off.   I also enjoy watching young Will Jones play.  Will joined from Brantham Athletic shortly after the start of last term, and is getting stronger and better with each game he plays.  If Will gets the minutes he deserves I feel there is a big season in him and a bright future ahead for the lad.

Realistically, how do you think you’ll do this season?

Champions.  By 5-7 points.  There, I’ve said it. We may have lost a couple of pivotal players from last season to step 3 Suffolk sides Bury and Leiston, but I genuinely feel we are stronger pound for pound and have more balance in the side now. And any side with Harry Wright in goal will always be in the mix at the end of the season.

If you could choose a song for your side to run our to, what would it be- and why?

Ban the play-offs (2 straight up) by The Smiths would be my preferred choice, if only Morrisey had taken the time to write the song!!   But in the absence of that sure fire chart topper, I would love to hear the old coastal resort ditty “Oh I do like to be beside the seaside” for obvious reasons or for our keeper, The Sham 69’s Hurry up, Harry   “Come on, come on, Hurry up Harry come on. We're going down the pub.” 

From all the opposition players you watched last season, which one would you love to see in your side- and why?

I’ll be perfectly honest and say that I am usually too pre-occupied with what our players are doing to focus on the opposition or notice their individual players.  That said, Stan Leech was a handful last term whilst still at Newmarket, and Mickey Faulkner and Terrell Egbri were very good at Maldon, and clearly playing below their level.  They are now on the books of Dagenham & Redbridge, St Albans City and Eastbourne Borough respectively.

What is your favourite Isthmian away ground?

From the North Division, I like Walthamstow both as a ground and a day out (Some good pubs on the walk from the tube station and a decent clubhouse too) and Wroxham was a great place to visit too, although sadly that fixture is midweek this term so the train gang will probably have to use the A140 for that one this time around.

If you travelled away, which ground served the best food?

I was lucky enough to go to every game last season. I did not always manage to sample the food though, as liquid lunches were sometimes the order of the day. As always, Eat Street at Chadfields takes the plaudits, and we were “lucky” enough to have had 3 visits within a month back in August and September. 

Please predict your top five:

Felixstowe & Walton United

Canvey Island

Cambridge City

Gorleston

Redbridge

Thanks to all supporters who have contributed to this feature- we’ll run the predicted tables for Step Four from Thursday to Saturday, and we’ll continue running your responses this week and next.