STANWAY ROVERS manager Angelo Harrop promises that his team will be “fired up” for tonight’s derby at WIVENHOE TOWN.

The Dragons ran out 3-0 winners in the reverse fixture on August 16.

However, Stanway are unbeaten in the Thurlow Nunn League since then - a run spanning eight premier division fixtures - and they are now second in the table, breathing down the necks of leaders Mildenhall.

“I’ve hardly lost any matches at home since I’ve been manager here, let alone 3-0,” said Harrop, whose side won 1-0 in their home contest against fellow high-fliers Thetford Town on Saturday.

“I’m not going to accept that and will have my team fired up.

“Wivenhoe caught us at a good time and they’ll know that, because we were missing so many key players early in the season.

“However, we learnt a lot from it and haven’t lost in the league since that defeat.

“I can’t fault my players for their response to that defeat.

“I fancy us and the one thing I can guarantee is that my players will work their socks off and be full of energy.”

Harrop admits his squad will be down to bare bones.

Daniel Thrower and Ben Newson have both left in recent days, with the latter returning to Brantham Athletic.

But to compound matters, Billy Hunt is unavailable while Jake Clowsley broke his hand and wrist in three places during Saturday’s win. “We’re down to bare bones but we’ll still be strong,” he said.

“There’s no point making a big thing of it because it’s the same for all clubs.”

Harrop was delighted to beat Thetford, thanks to a winning goal from Craig Hughes.

“Thetford are a completely different proposition this season,” he said.

“Their new manager lost 12 players but has brought 12 in.

“We really had to dig deep because they’re a strong outfit and they’ll be there or thereabouts at the end of the season.

“That’s why it was such an important victory.”