LITTLE Oakley manager Sean Tynan is relishing a selection headache ahead of tomorrow’s trip to March Town United.

The Acorns had six key players missing for last week’s convincing 3-0 victory against Needham Market Reserves, in the Thurlow Nunn League.

But with five of them back in the frame for tomorrow’s trip to Cambridgeshire, Tynan admits he has plenty of food for thought in terms of his selection.

“It was good to get back to winning ways, after a 6-1 defeat in our previous match,” said Tynan.

“We tired towards the end - you could tell some of the boys hadn’t been playing regularly.

“But it was great for them to get a run-out and helps create strong competition for places.

“There were six boys missing last week and five of them are back tomorrow. I said before the game to make it hard for me to drop them.

“They were the ones with the shirts and if they did well, it would make it hard for me as manager.

“That’s what I want - as opposed to easy decisions and a team that picks itself - and thankfully that’s what happened.

“It’s a big thing for me.”

Oakley bounced back from their 6-1 defeat against Whitton United to defeat bottom side Needham.

Skipper Lewis Wood nodded them ahead before Rob Pratt’s (pictured) cool finish made it 2-0.

Harry Mann then steered home from an angle to complete a comfortable victory at the Memorial Ground.

“We’ve been strong at home (now unbeaten in eight of their ten home matches) and that’s why I was so disappointed with the Whitton result,” said Tynan.

“We spoke for an hour after that game and had a real heart-to-heart.

“Bigger and better sides are going to come here this season and you have to fight for absolutely everything.

“Hopefully they learnt from it because they showed a lot more desire.

“It wasn’t always pretty but we dug in and did well.

“I thought it was only a matter of time before we scored in the first half.

“We got the ball out wide and dominated them in the air and from set-pieces.

“We did well. We could have had a couple more goals but then so could Needham.

“We’re happy with three points from anyone and it puts us in good heart for our trip to March.

“I’m pleased for the boys.

“They needed that win as a little pick-me-up.”

Oakley return to the Memorial Ground next weekend, for a home match against Swaffham Town.

Oakley's A team bowed out of the Essex Junior Cup on Saturday, losing 2-1 at Brentwood-based L MAC Spartans. Luke Shepherd scored their goal. For a report and team picture, see page 46.

The A team return to Essex and Suffolk Border League first division action at home to Tiptree Jobserve tomorrow (kick-off 2pm).