Ahead of their FA Trophy visit to Whitstable Town this afternoon, Ryman North Division outfit AFC Sudbury are a side very much on the up at the moment having won five and drawn one of their last six fixtures.

As well as accumulating 10 points out of their last possible 12 in the league to move them up to within touching distance of the play-offs, the Yellows have also sealed progression in the Robert Dyas League Cup (a 2-1 win over Bury Town) and Suffolk Premier Cup (a 6-2 win over Kirkley & Pakefield), of late.

Boss David Batch has been pleased with his side’s recent form as he explains.

“We’ve done a lot better in the last six games which is pleasing,” he declared.

Before the start of this run, which began on September 27 in a 1-0 away triumph over Chatham Town, Sudbury were a little inconsistent – bowing out of the FA Cup against lower-league opposition and losing heavily (6-2) at home to Thurrock.

“We had an inconsistent start and I still think we we’ve had an inconsistent start.

“Saying that, we’re still just outside the play-offs (Sudbury sit in eighth place) but we can do better and we are showing signs of that.”

Sudbury travel to Whitstable, Kent in a FA Trophy Preliminary Round game looking to make up their FA Cup exit earlier this season, a shock 3-1 defeat to Essex Senior League outfit FC Romania.

“The Trophy is good because you can win two or three games and get a nice sum of money into the club,” added Batch, whose side will claim £2,500 if they can grab victory today.

“Realistically, we’re one of the lowest-ranked teams in the competition so we’re not going to win it, but if we can get somewhere near the First Round Proper like we did last year, that’d help.”

After selling Jake Reed back to Lowestoft Town and seeing Michael Shinn take over the managerial reins at Haverhill Rovers in the last three weeks, there has been a few changes in personnel at the Wardale Williams Stadium recently.

Into the building have come Terry Rymer, a striker who made his name at Brightlingsea Regent last season, as well as Correy Davidson, and as of yesterday, Ollie Burquez, an experienced midfielder who joins after being captain of Maldon & Tiptree.

Batch is excited about the prospects of all three signings going forward, particularly 21-year-old Dublin-born winger Davidson, who has high aspirations to make it into the English professional game.

“Correy joined us from Carrick Rangers (a professional Northern Irish football club) and is very, very quick and technically very good,” added Batch.

“I don’t think I’ve seen anybody that can run with the ball as quickly as he can.

“The key for him is whether he adapts to the physicality of the non-league game.

“If he can, he won’t be with us for long. That’s the challenge for him though, every one of our players has the ability to play higher, it’s just about adapting to the physical side.”

Batch is set to welcome Sam Clarke and Kris Newby back to the squad today following suspension.