AFC Sudbury are getting ready for two of the biggest games in their season - all in the space of one week.

Mike Bacon

AFC Sudbury are getting ready for two of the biggest games in their season - all in the space of one week.

The King's Marsh club entertain local rivals Bury Town on Saturday and follow that up with a tasty FA Trophy first round clash with former Football League side Oxford United on Saturday week.

It's a double dose of what should be cracking entertainment for Nicky Smith's side, and he admits he can't wait.

“What a great week it should be,” he said last night.

“Bury will be tough enough, but then to have Oxford United here is just a great chance to pull off a real shock.

“In all but the fact they are in the Conference, Oxford are a League club. They get regular crowds of 4,000, but we have nothing to lose and I will stress that to the players before the game.”

Smith will be able to pit his managerial wits up against his namesake Jim Smith, who has stepped into the breech at Oxford, following the departure of Darren Patterson at the club.

The 'Bald Eagle' as he is affectionately known, is hardly new to management, beginning his career as a boss back in 1969 with Boston as a player/manager.

In contrast AFC Sudbury's Nicky Smith is in only his third month at the helm of a team. Some challenge for him then.

“Well, how great will it be to be able to pit my wits against a legend like Jim Smith,” Nicky added.

“To be opposite him in the technical area will be superb and a great experience.

“And the whole game should be a great experience for my young squad too.”

Meanwhile AFC Sudbury secretary David Webb has admitted it appears a disappointingly low number of Oxford fans are likely to travel to King's Marsh on Saturday week.

“A spokesman at Oxford told me they expect about 200 fans to travel, which is a bit of a disappointment,” he said.

“But they have 3,000 season ticket holders, although the season tickets aren't allowed to be used for cup games.

“I would say level for level, it's the biggest game King's Marsh has ever staged and I was delighted to get such a big club at our place when I heard the draw.”

The Oxford game is not all ticket, but to ease congestion on the day, tickets will be on sale at King's Marsh on Saturday, prices £9 for adults, £6 concessions.

Meanwhile AFC Sudbury manager Nicky Smith has said the club mustn't let striker James Rowe leave for nothing.

Rowe was put on the transfer list by the club this week.

“I'm disappointed it has got to this with James,” Smith said.

“But he's a club asset and although we are not going to hold him to ransom, neither must we let him leave the club for nothing.”