Experienced striker Danny Crow is determined to make up for lost time and is eyeing an FA Trophy scalp with AFC Sudbury, at home to National League side Macclesfield, this afternoon.

The 30-year-old has been out of the game since leaving Lowestoft Town in the summer and, while keeping himself fit, is short of full match-sharpness, having made his Sudbury debut as a substitute, in the 3-0 home win over Met Police on Tuesday night.

That victory eased Sudbury’s anxieties, having slipped down the Ryman Premier table in recent weeks, and today they turn their attentions to the second round of the Vase and a game against a Silkmen team that are two divisions and 53 places higher than them.

“It’s been a long, frustrating six months, I have been training on Tuesdays with my friend’s team, who play lower down the leagues,” said Crow.

“But there is nothing like having match-fitness. I came on as substitute on Tuesday night and although I felt sharp, I know I have a lot more to offer.”

Crow has plenty of experience to offer at the Wardale Williams Stadium and his nous could be invaluable today, even if it’s just from the bench, as the west Suffolk side take on a club that briefly graced the same league as Manchester City in the late-nineties, when both teams were playing in the third-tier of English football.

“It’s a very big game and one we are relishing,” added Great Yarmouth-born Crow, who has played for a number of Football League clubs, including Norwich City, Peterborough United, Northampton Town and Notts County.

“Macclesfield Town are a prestigious club and have done well in the FA Cup in the past, but we have got some talented players and it’s 11 versus 11 on the day and anything can happen.

“It’s almost like an FA Cup tie, everyone wants the underdog to win and we have nothing to lose.”

Crow, who won the Suffolk Premier Cup with the Trawlerboys in May, has signed a contract with Sudbury until the end of the season but hopes that could be extended if both parties are happy.

“I am here until the end of the season and we will see what happens,” he explained.

“I have been made to feel welcome at the club straight away, there is a lot of banter flying around the dressing room and the players hold the coaching staff up in such high regard.

“And I can see why too, the club is run like a professional club and I have missed that.

“I am delighted to be here.”

Match report and pictures from today’s game in Monday’s EADT.