Following Suffolk Premier Cup progression and a heavy home league defeat, it has been a mixed last seven days for Thurlow Nunn Premier Division side Mildenhall Town.

Last Wednesday, Christian Appleford’s men provided a mini Suffolk Premier Cup upset by overcoming an albeit very youthful Ryman North Division Needham Market outfit by a single Matt Robinson goal to nil.

“We played well, we worked hard, and it was a good result,” declared Appleford.

“They had a mixed side out but were still fairly decent so it was very pleasing for us.”

Robinson’s 80th-minute strike in a pretty uneventful encounter at Bloomfields saw Hall rewarded with a trip to Needham’s Ryman North rivals AFC Sudbury in the quarter-finals of the competition, to be played on the midweek dates of November, 25 and 26.

Sudbury are the third highest-ranked team left in the competition, but Appleford was pleased to draw David Batch’s men.

“It’s a good draw for us,” declared the Hall boss.

“It’s a chance to play at their excellent facilities and show what we can do.

“We’ve already beaten one Ryman side so why can’t we beat another one?”

Appleford’s delight was then abruptly ended just three days later as his side were crushed 4-0 at the hands of Thurlow Nunn Premier Division table-toppers Norwich United.

“They were far better than us,” conceded the Hall chief.

“What frustrates me the most was that we were 3-0 down at half-time without them having a chance from open play – all three goals were from set-pieces.

“We’ve got no complaints though, they worked harder than us and thoroughly deserved the win.”

The heavy defeat leaves Mildenhall placed in 11th position with a goal difference of 0 and a record reading played 10, won five, drawn one, lost four – statistics that Appleford thinks sums up his side’s inconsistent season so far.

“The defeat against Norwich was even more disappointing considering our last two games and results (the 1-0 triumph over Needham Market and a 5-1 drubbing of Wivenhoe Town the weekend before).

“I fancied us to give them a game at home but it wasn’t to be, and we are still looking at the squad and the players (despite just adding three new additions, and allowing two to leave).

“From what I saw though, it’ll take a very good team to stop Norwich United, they were excellent.”

Sitting six points clear at the top of the table, it does appear that the Norfolk-based side are the team to beat this season – having only lost once (to Gorleston) this campaign, winning their other 10 league games.

Appleford will be hoping for more consistency from his team this week, as last night they hosted March Town United in a League Cup tie.

On Saturday, they travel to Brantham Athletic in a mid-table battle.