Jonathan Redhead Micky Chapman wants Lowestoft Town to put a week of frustration to one side and build on an 'unbelievable' 2009. The Blues have lost their last two Ryman League Division One North leagues games to bad weather, but entertain Brentwood Town at Crown Meadow this afternoon still four points clear at the top of the table.

Jonathan Redhead

Micky Chapman wants Lowestoft Town to put a week of frustration to one side and build on an 'unbelievable' 2009.

The Blues have lost their last two Ryman League Division One North leagues games to bad weather, but entertain Brentwood Town at Crown Meadow this afternoon still four points clear at the top of the table.

And after the greatest 12 months in the club's long history, joint boss Chapman wants to start the new year with a win at the Meadow.

"It's been a very frustrating week, but it's part and parcel of football," he said.

"You can't do anything about the weather, although it's disappointing.

"Obviously the Boxing Day game at Brentwood Town was cancelled and then Tuesday night's game at Maldon Town was cancelled, but that's football.

"We trained hard on Tuesday night instead. We got the boys together and had a really hard session. Everyone put in a good shift and now we're looking forward to Brentwood.

"We worked on things and ran the players as well. They need to get the Christmas festivities out of their systems: the turkey, the mince pie, the drink.

"The lads look after themselves anyway and they've got to celebrate, but they had a really hard session. Flem (Craig Fleming) and Dave (Carolan) put them through their paces.

"We've got a tough game at home against Brentwood at the Meadow.

"They've been up and down this season, to be fair, but they're the same as any side in this league. Every single team is capable of beating every other team.

"They're a good side, a young side, with a lot of quality in their squad and we know they're capable of coming to our place and causing us a lot of problems and we've got to make sure we're right.

"It'll be another big crowd I'm sure, the day after New Year's Day, so fingers crossed the weather will be good and we can get back playing again."

Reflecting on a fantastic 2009, which saw Town score 150 goals, win 43 out of 58 games and lose just eight, Chapman hailed his sides' 'massive achievements': "2009 has been a huge year for Lowestoft Town football club and everyone involved with it, just unbelievable," he said.

"It's just gone on from our trip to Wembley and this year we reached the FA Vase semi-final again and won the league by so many points.

"It wasn't just winning it but winning it by an absolutely massive margin. Then winning the Premier Cup at Portman Road, getting promoted, getting to the first round proper of the FA Cup, something which hasn't been done since 1977 when Cambridge United were there.

"They were all massive achievements.

"And also to be top of the league come Christmas. We're not stupid, we know that you don't win leagues at Christmas and we're certainly not getting carried away but it just caps the year off."

Crowds have been packing out Crown Meadow to watch the Trawler Boys and Chapman paid tribute to the fans who have helped Town become the best supported team in the Ryman League.

"It's been massive year and the fans have been huge," he said.

"Our crowds blow everybody out of the water, everybody.

"They did it in the Ridgeons League and they're now doing it in the Ryman League as well.

"It's a credit to the town. They turn out in their droves all weather and like I've said, they act as 12th man for us.

"The atmosphere at the Meadow is electric when they're in full voice."

The Blues will be without midfielder Andrew Fisk for the game against Brentwood and the next match, against Potters Bar Town at the Meadow on Tuesday, as he serves the final two games of a three-match ban.

n Former King's Lynn defender Zak Martin has completed a permanent move to Southern League, Premier Division club Hednesford Town.

The former West Brom trainee had been with the Pitmen on an extended loan period but is now free to sign for the club after being released from his contract following King's Lynn's demise.

Martin had continued to train with the Pitmen until getting FA clearance to complete his move after initially joining Hendesford following seven early season appearances for the Linnets.