LITTLE Oakley joint-manager Paul Sadler says he and his players are relishing the challenge of eclipsing last season’s heroics.

The Acorns were Essex and Suffolk Border League runners-up and also lifted the Border League Knockout Cup.

They have made another bright start to this campaign and currently sit seventh in the premier division, with games in hand on all the teams above, having only lost twice.

They are also through to the quarter-finals of the cup, having sailed through last weekend’s first-round tie against Earls Colne, winning 6-1 (see page 38).

“Things are going well,” said joint-manager Sadler, who runs the side with Sean Tynan.

“Obviously it’s going to be a big ask to do better than last season, because it was such a successful year for the club.

“But we enjoy a challenge and it’s certainly not beyond us.

“That was our goal at the start of the season and it hasn’t changed.

“We’ll have to be at our very best and when you set your standards that high, you have to work very hard to eclipse them.

“But we’ve got the players who can do it and that’s very much our aim.”

Sadler was delighted to make cup progress last weekend, thanks to a hat-trick from Trevor Lewis, two from Sam Eldridge and one from Lewis Wood.

The Knockout Cup is a competition that conjures up special memories from last May, when Oakley lifted the silverware after beating Coggeshall Town at Colchester Garrison.

Saturday’s big win against Colne followed a 7-0 victory at Tiptree Park, in the preliminary round on September 5.

“It was nice to progress and this is the third year running we’ve made the quarter-finals, at least,” said Sadler.

“As holders, we want to do well in the competition again and aren’t ready to let go of the silverware just yet.

“Winning the cup was such a special night and although it would take some doing to retain it, we’re more than capable of beating anyone on our day.”

Oakley switch their attention back to the league tomorrow and a home fixture against White Notley (kick-off 2pm).

They will be without four unavailable players in Eldridge, Wood, Shaun Kioussis and Steve Polley.

“It’s unfortunate to be without them, but we’ve got a strong reserve squad and I’m confident those that replace them will step up to the task,” added Sadler.