Downham ready to stand and deliver

It’s a big evening for in-form Downham Town tomorrow night as the club officially opens its new stand following recent ground improvements at the Memorial Field.The stand will be opened before the Premier Division clash with high-flying Ely City.Manager Dale Stokes said: “It’s got a bit more to it as the opening of our newly-refurbished stand. We are extremely grateful to Jonathan Rose from Evolution, the man behind the project.”What he’s done for us has been unbelievable and we cannot thank him enough.”We are delighted with how it has all turned out and I know the supporters have loved sitting in the nice seats that we obtained from Wembley.”Visiting Ely City sit second in the league standings while mid-table Downham Town go into the game on the back of five successive league and cup wins.”Ely are flying to be fair to them,” said Stokes. “Last season they had a tough time but Guy (Habbin) has done a superb job getting them to where they are now. So we know it’s going to be a hard-fought game. “They work as hard as any team I’ve seen this season and if you’re not matching that then they’ll punish you”We are starting to get players back now which is helping us. We’ve had to play people out of position every week and it’s been a proper graft, the boys deserve huge credit.”We are still without three or four for the next few games and once everyone is back it’s going to be a headache selection-wise but a good one to have.” On Saturday, a Lagshan Sivakumar goal was enough to see Downham Town win 1-0 in a tough FA Vase tie at St Neots.Their reward is a home tie against Brantham Athletic in the next round on October 19. “It was a great win to be fair and a proper game of two halves,” admitted Stokes.“The pitch was lovely, which helped us to settle into the game and try to play the way we like. “We expected it to be a good game but they surprised us with how direct they were. Although they’re at Step 5, the physicality and size of their team, they’re made for Step 4.”Their style of play can of course put you under real pressure and it did at times, although Duncan (McAnally) didn’t have a great deal to do.”