LITTLE Oakley joint-manager Paul Sadler wants his side to build on their memorable 2015.

The Acorns kick-off the new year with Saturday’s eye-catching Essex and Suffolk Border League premier division showdown at home to Gas Recreation (kick-off 2pm).

Sadler knows a win would not only lay down a marker but also continue the club’s excellent run of form, following a year of highlights for the Memorial Ground side.

They only lost five league and cup matches in the calendar year, finished as runners-up, won the Border League Knockout Cup and then the AV Lee Trophy, in September.

Their reserve team also won silverware and the club celebrated the official opening of their new 3G pitch.

“It really was a fantastic year for the club, with so much to celebrate,” said Sadler, who runs the first team with Sean Tynan.

“It’s going to be hard to trump our achievements but we certainly hope to build on our success, in 2016.

“Winning at the weekend would be a great way to kick-off the year and hopefully we can start as we mean to go on.

“It would lay down a marker.

“Gas are a top side in the division, but we got a point at their place earlier in the season so have nothing to fear or be afraid of.

“Hopefully we can give them another good game and a positive result would be an excellent way to start the year.

“In the past, we seem to have raised our game against the better sides.

“It’s been one of our strengths and I’m sure the boys will feel they’ve got a point to prove.

“They’ll certainly be up for it and hopefully we’ll have a decent crowd, as it’s the only game on in the league, between two of the better teams.

“We had the option of playing on Saturday and were happy to take it, as we’re a bit behind with our fixtures.”

Oakley, seventh in the table, with five wins and three draws from their ten games, in addition to being unbeaten since mid-October, are preparing for some crunch fixtures at the start of 2016.

In addition to facing Gas, they then host premier division leaders Coggeshall Town in the quarter-finals of the Knockout Cup before entertaining Shenfield Association in the fourth round of the Essex Premier Cup.

“January is going to be a tricky month,” added Sadler.

“We have a lot to play for in the first month of the year, with vital points, a cup semi-final and a quarter-final up for grabs.

“But if we’re on top of our game, knuckle down and work hard, it could be a very rewarding few weeks and there’s a big incentive there for all of us.”

Oakley will again be without injured trio Lewis Wood, Steve Polley and Rory Harmon.