Mark Morsley: Some players have let relegated AFC Sudbury down

Sudbury boss Jamie Godbold (Image: Archant)

The Needham Market manager, who had a spell in charge of the Yellows between 2006 and 2008, expressed his disappointment after seeing his former club relegated from the Ryman League Premier Division on Easter Monday.

James Baker’s 76th minute strike helped AFC come from behind to draw 1-1 with the Marketmen at the Wardale Williams Stadium, a result which left Needham’s play-off hopes all but over for this season.

Sudbury, last season’s Ryman League Division One North champions, learnt of their fate before kick-off after Burgess Hill Town’s 1-1 draw with Worthing left them unable to finish out of the bottom four.

“I’m disappointed for Jamie (Godbold, AFC manager) and the club,” Morsley said. “Jamie’s a great guy and there are some fantastic people at this football club.

“I watched them put in a performance today where they’re busting their a**** to win tackles and win the game.

“And if they’re doing that all season, they’re not going down.

“There’s people who work hard at this football club and don’t deserve players to do that, so that’s a shame.”

Sudbury manager Godbold guided the Yellows to the Division One North title last season, but his side now face an immediate return after one campaign in the Ryman League’s top flight.

“We knew beforehand that we’d gone (down) and credit to my players who have turned out the performance they did (against Needham),” he said.

“Under the circumstances, to put that disappointment aside, they should take a lot of credit.”

The draw leaves Needham, in seventh, still mathematically in with a chance of sneaking into the play-offs on the final day on Saturday, but Morsley’s side need to beat Billericay Town, hope Wingate & Finchley lose and pull off an eight-goal swing in goal difference.

“We’ve got to go and beat Billericay 8-0!” Morsley joked.