Just two defeats in the league, and through to two cup quarter-finals — Bungay Town have set things up nicely for an interesting second half to their 2017-18 season.

Promotion to the Premier Division of the Anglian Combination is the priority for manager Richard Daniels and his squad, but further progress in the league cup and Suffolk Senior Cup would add extra spice to the new year activities.

The downside is that the cup runs and recent games being postponed will leave the Black Dogs with a fixture backlog as the season reaches a climax — they have played only nine league games so far. But they can live with that.

Daniels said: “I think in general we are playing some very good football and in my opinion, and the opinion of others I have spoken to, we are one of the best sides in the division.

“With the recent re-signing of Shaun Flint we have got cover in all the positions we need, and the squad is together as a unit, which is important.

“My only concern is that the cup runs might affect our promotion push, which is our priority. We have only played nine league games so far and success in the cups may come back to haunt is. But we are playing some really good football and in young Tom Hunter we have a really good player who is clearly going to get better.

“Kevin Riches’ return (he re-signed in October) was very important and he has made the midfield a lot stronger. We must look on the two cups as a bonus and we have a chance in both quarter-finals, but the main priority is to challenge for a top three place and promotion to the premier division. We can do that. Sheringham and Wymondham have started to slip a bit and if we can get momentum with two or three wins together quickly in the New Year we can do that. Those wins are key to how our season will go.”

Bungay return to league action on Saturday week when they travel to Watton.