AFC Sudbury boss David Batch is positively purring at the young guns coming through the ranks at the Wardale Williams Stadium.

While the west Suffolk team are still licking their wounds after Bank Holiday Monday’s 3-1 defeat to Needham Market – a match that saw Sudbury have three players sent off – Batch is looking at the bigger picture within the club, and his young stars.

“I’m really impressed by some of our young players,” he said.

“Stefan Mallardo, Jordan Blackwell, the Kemp brothers, Tyler and Scott, Jack Guyton, are all teenagers and are great talents.

“And there are others.

“It’s the pathway we want to create at Sudbury. That’s why we got Danny Laws in to help with our development side and already we are seeing results.

“We have had a successful reserve side in the past but we haven’t really had players in that team knocking on the door of the first team – now we have.

“Our development side is full of 17-year-olds and our under-18 side is full of 16-year-olds. Next season we plan to run a full-time academy.

“We want a conveyor belt of talent, it’s so much more sustainable.”

Today Batch takes his Sudbury team to fellow Ryman North side Redbridge in the FA Cup, knowing a good FA Cup run can reap healthy financial results.

“It’s good to win games in the FA Cup because yes, the rewards are financially good,” he added.

“Last season a good cup run contributed to a lot of our budget and gave us a good return on our investment. It is important.”

Asked whether he was glad to get have a cup game after two league defeats on the spin, Batch was unmoved.

“There are 46 league games, so lots can happen and I’m not too bothered about a cup or league game, we just want to play,” he added.

“I thought we played well, especially in the first half against Needham Market.

“They are a good side and I said to Mark Morsley (the Needham boss) afterwards they will win the league.

“Then again so they should with their playing budget.

“It must be the highest in the division.

“On the flip side to that though, if you get promotion, then the investment has all been worthwhile and I think Mark has invested wisely.

“If you go down to ten men and come back to win like Needham did, fair play.”