With seven Pitching In Isthmian League North Division league matches to be played in the space of just 26 days in January, Lowestoft will start the New Year in the play-off positions after moving up to fourth in the table.

It comes after an entertaining East Coast derby - played out in front of more than 700 fans at the Fosters Solicitors Community Stadium on Boxing Day - saw The Blues triumph over The Greens in a game of three penalties and seven goals.

A first half brace from Adam Hipperson - including a 16th minute penalty - saw Lowestoft lead 2-1 at the interval.

Goals from skipper Travis Cole, Rhys Logan and Kyle Haylock followed after the break as Lowestoft took the derby day bragging rights with a 5-2 win.

Another derby now awaits The Blues - as their opening match of 2023 will be a Suffolk derby away at Bury Town FC.

The Blues will travel to The Atalian Servest Ram Meadow Stadium on Monday, January 2, 2023, with the match against 10th placed Bury kicking off at the earlier time of 1pm.

Rhys Logan will miss Monday's match, as will Josh Harvey as he serves the final game of his suspension.

There are injury concerns over Jake Reed and Kyle Haylock, but Chris Henderson is set to return to the squad after suspension.

Reflecting on the Boxing Day win and looking ahead to the New Year, Blues boss Jamie Godbold said: "It was good to get a win after a few weeks without a game, on the back of a run of draws and losses.

"I thought we were good value for the victory. Although we were a bit fortunate with the penalty decision - we have not had too many of those - we were disappointed to let them back in the game.

"We should have dealt with the long ball over the top better and the striker gets there just before Holty for the penalty.

"But once we got the second goal just before half time I thought we thoroughly deserved the win.

"It had been three weeks since we last played and it was good to see the lads perform with the goals shared around.

"I thought Kyle Haylock was excellent - he proved a real thorn in the Gorleston side and deserved his goal.

"For us the goal was to get three points and we achieved that.

Ahead of the Suffolk derby, Godbold added: "Bury is a difficult place to go and they are a tough side.

"We will look at where they can hurt us, but we know if we are on our game we can cause them problems too.

"There are a number of teams in and around the play off positions, but all our focus is on the next game.

"We have a lot of games coming up, so it will be great to have Hendo's quality and experience back.

"Now we are at the midway point in the season we are looking forward to kicking on in the New Year."