Football

There was no Christmas cheer for AFC Sudbury on Boxing Day as they slumped to a narrow 1-0 defeat at home to Brightlingsea Regent in Ryman League Division One North.

Haverhill Borough, who won at Lowestoft Town in the quarter-finals, will meet Hadleigh United in the semi-finals of this season’s Suffolk FA Senior Reserves Cup, sponsored by Days Sports.

Ben Chenery believes he now has the squad that can pull off the great escape after holding play-off-chasing Leiston in the Ryman League Premier Division at Ram Meadow on Boxing Day.

David Batch has today (Tuesday) announced that he has left AFC Sudbury with immediate effect after accepting an offer to become manager of Southern League Premier Division outfit St Neots Town.

Ipswich Town boss Mick McCarthy is hoping to restore Suffolk’s only professional football club back to the top table of English football — and our post-match Middlesbrough video shows what the Premier League audience is missing out on if they do not make it this season.

THURLOW NUNN LEAGUE FIRST DIVISION Haverhill Borough 1 Saffron Walden Town 1

Bury Town held Suffolk counterparts and former manager Richard Wilkins to a goalless draw at Ram Meadow on Boxing Day.

AFC Sudbury were left void of any festive cheer after they slipped to a 1-0 Boxing Day defeat to Brightlingsea Regent.

Needham Market have unveiled new plans to expand the club’s academy during 2015.

Michael Shinn has tipped the young players of Haverhill Rovers to help set the club’s targets higher over the next few years.

If any evidence was needed Mick McCarthy’s freebies are far more than just a cohesive, physical, hard-to-beat long-ball team, it was there Saturday.

Fresh legs in at just the right time — that is what AFC Sudbury’s boss believes will prove pivotal as games come thick and fast over Christmas.

Thetford Bulldogs Under-18s capped off the year on high with a comfortable 3-1 home victory over Stowupland Falcons.

Mark Morsley has called on his Needham Market side to seize upon their title rivals’ poor form as they aim to extend their advantage at the top.

Ben Chenery is adamant Bury Town will have no fear when they host former manager Richard Wilkins’ high-flying Leiston in a Boxing Day reunion.

AFC Sudbury moved level on points with Thurrock in the final Ryman League Division One North play-off berth following a comfortable 3-0 success over Barkingside.

Bury Town halted a run a seven straight league defeats but remain bottom of the Ryman League Premier Division table following a 1-1 draw with relegation rivals VCD Athletic.

Mildenhall Town interim boss Dean Greygoose praised his side after they won at home for the first time under his tutelage at the weekend.

Haverhill Borough go into their game with Braintree Town Reserves on Saturday (3pm) with its healthiest looking squad for some weeks.

Needham Market boss Mark Morsley expects to look to the club’s academy for players, following a recent upturn in injuries in his first team squad.