The waiting is almost over, the weekend is fast approaching and with that, the trip to the south coast to face Bognor Regis Town in the FA Cup will be here. The club, both on and off the field have done as much preparation as possible. It’ll now be down to the squad of players to go and give it their all.
After resting the almost the entire squad for Tuesday night’s Trophy match, which is another great story on its own, one that put a smile on anyone associated with the club, the future is going to be exciting! Mark and his staff have done everything possible to make this a day to remember for all, regardless of the outcome. We have an almost full supporters coach leaving AFC Sudbury at 10am, a separate players mini coach which will be leaving earlier and stopping for a pre match meal in Bognor allowing the squad the full match day experience.
Our opponents for the day are no strangers to us, after being in the Premier Division with then in the 2016/17 season, (where they beat us home and away) a season where they won promotion via the playoffs and we saw relegation, they went on and had a tough season in the National League South, finishing bottom with just 5 wins to their name. Now back in the Premier Division they have had a strong start, after seven matches they are in fourth position, with an impressive 100% record at home and unbeaten away from home they look a formidable team, one who could well be challenging in April for promotion. Midweek in the Velocity Trophy they put eight goals past south coast rivals Whitehawk FC.
As already said, Mark has been in full planning mode for the match and is delighted to have been able to announce this week the signing of pacey left winger Reece Harris. A target for the Sudbury manager in the summer, Reece went back to Heybridge, but that has not worked out and he has now signed for us. With the departure of Will Crissell to Brantham and Sam Mills being dual registered with Whitton United, the team is forming a nice shape for the season ahead.
We will be playing in our Yello
Mark has had Bognor watched on a couple of occasions hoping to find an area to exploit in their impressive play, let’s hope he can. If the match is drawn after 90 minutes, then a replay will take place on Tuesday evening at AFC Sudbury.
Bognor play at Nyewood Lane, Bognor Regis, West Sussex, PO21 2TY.
Admission for Saturday is:
£12 Adults
£10 Over 65’s
£5 Under 18’s