Free-scoring midfielder Craig Parker is enjoying life at high-flying AFC Sudbury and hopes to keep his side in contention at the top of Ryman North, tonight.

The former Bury Town, Chelmsford City and Leiston man has already notched four goals this season, helping the Yellows to 15 points from a possible 18, and top spot in the division.

Sudbury could go clear at the summit tonight if they beat Soham Town Rangers at the Wardale Williams Stadium and other results go their way.

Parker was the match-winner in the reverse fixture last month and is enjoying being settled at the west Suffolk club.

“I wanted to have a good year this year,” said Parker.

“I was a bit disappointed with last year, having played half a season at Leiston and half a season at Sudbury.

“When you are moving around it is not ideal and my aim this season was to stay injury-free and take things a game at a time.”

Parker has played an integral role in AFC’s impressive start to the season, having suffered play-off semi-final heartache at home to Brentwood at the end of last season.

“That was disappointing to go out as we saw it as an opportunity missed (to go up),” he added,

“But it wasn’t to be and we had a good summer, recharged the batteries and got the defeat out of our systems.

“We have had a good start this season, although we did not have a great result against Cray (6-2 home defeat) but we have played reasonably well.

“The players have gelled pretty well and we are playing on an artificial surface which I think suits our game.”

Sudbury had a state-of-the-art 3G pitch installed in the summer and Jamie Godbold’s team have so far scored nine goals in two home league wins.

“I played on Maidstone’s artificial pitch a few times, so I knew what to expect,” explained Parker.

“Our pitch is nice and thick and it’s really a case of getting used to the speed and bounce of the ball.

“We have had some training sessions on it and hopefully the practice is paying dividends.”

Long Melford travel to Newmarket Town in the Thurlow Nunn Premier Division, tonight.

Newly-promoted Melford have won two and lost three of their first five games.