"Bucks aiming to complete clean sweep against the Suds"

Match Date : March 9th, 2024 3:00 pm
Competition : Southern League Premier Central
Ground : The MEL Group Stadium, Brundon Lane, Sudbury, Suffolk, CO10 7HN
Kick Off : 15:00

The postponement of last weekend’s fixture against Alvechurch means that the Bucks face AFC Sudbury for a second game in a row.

Having raced into an early two-goal lead, the Bucks needed Remi Walker’s brilliant strike from distance to eventually overcome a spirirted Sudbury side 3-2 when the sides met at the New Bucks Head on 24 February. While the Bucks ultimately got the job done, the Yellows caused Wilkin’s men enough problems to indicate that the Bucks will need to bring their A game if they are to pick up another three points this weekend.

Indeed, while the Suds currently occupy the final relegation place, it’s clear that the Suffolk club refuse to give in and are fighting hard to beat the drop. A goal difference of -11 is significantly better than those immediately around them, while the Yellows have only lost one game by more than a single goal since 14 October. Unfortunately for Sudbury, that was ten days ago at relegations Kettering, with the Suds going down 2-0. A 1-0 win over Hitchin last weekend though, keeps Sudbury in the mix and closed the gap to the 18th-place Poppies to just four points.

The Suds finished 2nd behind Hashtag United in the Isthmian League North Division last season, subsequently gaining promotion via the playoffs. But after last season’s success, though, it was a summer of major upheaval at King’s Marsh. Promotion-winning manager Rick Andrews left the club citing a vastly reduced budget, with many players following suit.

Marc Abbott has taken the reins in Andrews’ stead and combines his role in the Sudbury hot seat with his full-time job as Cambridge United’s elite scholarship manager. It is perhaps no surprise then, that the Yellows’ squad has a youthful look to it. And while Abbott’s young side have clearly struggled overall, they have recorded some notable results on home soil, including creditable draws with top 10 sides Stratford, Halesowen, Royston and Leiston and a win success over league leaders Needham Market.

The Bucks are currently five games unbeaten and have won the last four. That’s helped Wilkin’s men firm up their position in the playoff places, but the Bucks will want to finish the season in as high a position as possible, so another three points will be the aim this Saturday.

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MATCHDAY INFORMATION

Website: www.afcsudbury.co.uk

Ground Address: King’s Marsh, Brundon Lane, Sudbury, Suffolk, CO10 7HN