Felixstowe & Walton 0 AFC Sudbury 1

East Anglian Daily Times: Sudbury keeper Paul Walker grabs the ball just ahead of Seasiders Rhys Barber Photo: STAN BASTONSudbury keeper Paul Walker grabs the ball just ahead of Seasiders Rhys Barber Photo: STAN BASTON (Image: © Stan Baston)

Despite Felixstowe & Walton coming away from Long Melford with an impressive 8-1 win in The Suffolk Premier Cup in midweek, there was no-one who thought the Seasiders’ Bostik North clash with AFC Sudbury would be anything other than a tough nut to crack.

And so it proved to be.

Everything was set up for an enjoyable day at The Goldstar Ground under a welcome autumn sun.

It was Non-League Day with a “pay what you want” policy at the turnstiles, which attracted 663 people. Hopes were high for Seasiders’ fans.

East Anglian Daily Times: Sudbury's Mehki Mckenzie, proved a handfull all afternoon for the Seasiders Photo: THOMAS BRADFORDSudbury's Mehki Mckenzie, proved a handfull all afternoon for the Seasiders Photo: THOMAS BRADFORD (Image: Thomas Bradford 07885548899)

But sadly for the home side it was one of those days when it wasn’t to be.

Man of the match Reece Harris scored the only goal of the game after 44 minutes for Mark Morsley’s visitors, giving The Suds the three points they worked so hard to secure to help lift them from the wrong end of the table.

Felixstowe were able to choose from an almost entirely fully-fit squad and it was encouraging to see the likes of Jordy Matthews, Ethan Clarke and Miles Powell among the substitutes on a very strong bench.

In the end, all three were used but to no avail.

East Anglian Daily Times: Felixstowe midfielder Jose Kerridge weighs up his options on Saturday Photo: AMY GILSONFelixstowe midfielder Jose Kerridge weighs up his options on Saturday Photo: AMY GILSON (Image: Archant)

Speaking after the game, Joint Felixstowe boss Ian Watson paid credit to Sudbury.

“We didn’t create enough and we didn’t pass the ball well enough today,” he said.

“The boys are disappointed, but that’s good. It shows passion.”

It’s fair to say that a 1-0 win for Sudbury could easily have been a goalless draw but for a simple mistake in the Felixstowe defence, allowing Harris to score.

East Anglian Daily Times: Seasiders' Jack Ainsley (red) shoots just wide under pressure fro Sudburys Tommy Dettmar Photo: STAN BASTONSeasiders' Jack Ainsley (red) shoots just wide under pressure fro Sudburys Tommy Dettmar Photo: STAN BASTON (Image: © Stan Baston)

However, on the flip side, it’s also true to say that a couple of excellent stops from Jack Spurling prevented an even bigger win for the visitors.

The Seasiders now find themselves mid-table in 10th position with 12 points but just a point off a place in the play offs.

Sudbury are still in 17th but with games in hand.

Next up for Felixstowe is an away trip to lowly Tilbury, who are finding life just a little tough at this early stage of the season.

But that doesn’t mean Felixstowe will expect anything other than yet one more tough nut to crack.