STANWAY Rovers manager Kem Izzet wants his players to "reach for the stars" in the final weeks of the Thurlow Nunn League season.

The premier division outfit have 13 matches left - in addition to an eagerly-awaited League Cup semi-final at Thetford Town on March 20.

The first of those fixtures is tonight, when Haverhill Borough visit The Hawthorns (kick-off 7.45pm).

And Colchester United legend Izzet has challenged his players to keep their standards high and strive for perfection during the remaining months of the campaign.

"Things are going well but we're far from where I want us to be and we have to keep working hard and pushing on," he told the Gazette.

"We're through to a cup semi-final and while it's exciting, it's the last thing I want the players to be thinking about at the moment.

"We've got several important league games first and have to concentrate on them.

"We've got 13 league matches and I want to win all 13.

"That might not be a realistic aim but it's certainly what I'm striving on.

"You have to aim for perfection and reach for the stars."

Stanway, who are seventh in the table, were left without a game last weekend following the postponement of their match at Walsham-le-Willows.

Their last outing was a League Cup quarter-final against the same opposition the previous Tuesday, which Rovers won 1-0.

However, Izzet said: "We were far from our best that night and a little fortunate to win.

"We had a chat after the game and I told the players I won't stand for any complacency.

"That said, when you're winning games and not playing well, it's a very good sign.

"At the start of the season we would have lost that match.

"Even a couple of months ago we probably would have lost.

"But while we strive to play well every week and I was frustrated with the performance, I'm pleased we've found a way to grind out results."

Stanway will be hoping for a bigger-than-normal crowd tonight, as it is the only Thurlow Nunn League fixture.

Some Colchester fans may be tempted over, too, as the U's have an away date at Crewe Alexandra tomorrow.

"We're going into tonight's game full of confidence and it would be lovely to think a few more people might come over and watch us," added Izzet.

"We noticed a few extra faces the last time we played on a Friday night.

"All we can do is keep doing what we're doing - working hard to play good football and get results - and hopefully then we might see our crowds go up."