Super Sudbury reap the rewards with Colchester FA Cup tie

By Matt Badcock

DELIGHT: AFC Sudbury beat National South leaders Dartford

RICK ANDREWS says AFC Sudbury’s prime time first round clash with League Two Colchester United is a reward for everyone at the Step 4 club.

The Isthmian North outfit are the lowest ranked team left in the competition after beating Step 2 Dartford 3-1 to reach this stage for the first time in 21 years.

Their home draw with neighbours Colchester United will kick the weekend’s action off with the BBC cameras attending on Friday night and if you’re having a bet on the Cup this season make sure to check out all the latest sportsbooks odds before getting in on the action.

And joint-boss Andrews, who arrived at the club in the summer with Angelo Harrop, says FA Cup fever is sweeping the Suffolk club.

“It’s the pleasure you see from everyone at the club,” the former Stowmarket Town boss told The NLP. “We’ve got the easy bit. We’ve just got to prepare for the game. You can imagine the phone calls about sponsorship, if the game’s on TV and all sorts.

“The Dartford game was the biggest I’ve been involved in. We do the common song of Sweet Caroline. But it was really nice when we were doing our team talk on the pitch when the game had finished, one of the stands started singing it and the players turned around to join in with them. It was nice seeing all the kids enjoying it.

Romantics

“Then, as we walked off, the other stand sung it so we sang with them as well. People can’t be kind enough – thanking us for the performance. The boys have done us proud. It’s all about the club, so we’re really happy for everyone.”

The whole squad met at The MEL Group Stadium on Sunday to watch the draw – and land the dream date that has caught the eye of all cup romantics.

“It will be great for the club to have the chance of the limelight,” Andrews said. “This goes for all clubs in Non-League, it’s all about the volunteers.

“We turned up on Sunday at 12.20 to get together for the draw and you’ve got the chairman (Andrew Long) and other members of the board litter picking from the day before. Things that people don’t see. They are the ones that deserve it.”

The Friday night slot is causing a slight headache. Andrews is due to land early afternoon from a family trip to Canada, where he spent some of his childhood, to scatter his late mother’s ashes.

While he hopes to get an earlier flight, he knows the management team of Harrop, coach Liam Joyce and goalie coach Danny Potter will get the squad fully prepared for what they hope will be memorable night.

“It’s going to be a monumental effort to get something out of the game,” Andrew said. “But we have to look at Marine, who knocked Colchester out last season. We’re in for a tough game but it’s one we’re looking forward to – and can hopefully enjoy as these don’t come around very often.

“We said to the boys before the Dartford game, none of us might get to even that round ever again so go out and enjoy it.

“It’s only the second time the club has ever been to the first round. So it just shows. That’s why we say to the boys to enjoy it.”