Whilst the majority of games were called off around the area, King's Marsh Stadium stood up to six hours of continuous rain but, unfortunately, the atrocious conditions put off a number of spectators.

Peter Scott

Whilst the majority of games were called off around the area, King's Marsh Stadium stood up to six hours of continuous rain but, unfortunately, the atrocious conditions put off a number of spectators. Those who braved the conditions saw, in the words of the non-League paper's reporter, “a fine advert for FA Trophy football”.

Before the game, our Grassroots were presented with the Charter Status by Gordon Blake, the President of the Suffolk Football Association, and Chris Pringle, the Suffolk County Development Manager. This award is a further indication that the club is continuing to progress and now boasts 10 teams from Under 7's to Under 15's as well as a ladies team and offers free training to 4 - 6 year olds and supports local schools and special needs groups within the community. Our Under 11's Reds team are looking for new players who are trained by an FA Level 2 qualified coach and anyone interested should ring Phil Youngs on 07748 374102.

Nick Smith introduced David Chick from Bishop's Stortford who played wide left against Oxford United and for 30 minutes the management team's tactics were working but a simple mistake undid their planning. An unfortunate slip by Curtis Haynes-Brown allowed Colchester United loanee Guy to give Darren Gould no chance to keep his shot out. Darren was match sponsors, The Laundry Goddess, Man of the Match but, in my opinion, he was run close by Craig Bussens who put on an electric display despite the heavy conditions. Indeed, it was Craig who rattled the crossbar just after half time and, if that had gone in, the end result could have been different. For large chunks of the second half you would not have guessed that our visitors plied their trade in the Conference and were full time as, spurred on by Gareth Heath, we drove forward looking for an equaliser but it never came - instead it was that man Guy who scored a second ten minutes from the end.

As I have said before, if we could only repeat this type of display in the League we would quickly rise up the table.

We have another big test and, hopefully, a large gate on Saturday when we take on former non-League giants Nuneaton Borough at home and then on the 27th it is the turn of Arlesey Town to journey to King's Marsh Stadium.

Our Reserves, who have not had a game for a couple of weeks although a mid-week friendly at Cornard United has been arranged, travel to Haverhill Rovers today.

On behalf of everyone connected with AFC Sudbury may I wish everyone a Happy Christmas and a Healthy New Year.