AFC Sudbury manager Marc Abbott looking for side to kick on from long-awaited home win against Bromsgrove Sporting
AFC Sudbury manager Marc Abbott is hopeful his players will use their long-awaited first home win of the season as a springboard to preserve their Step 3 status.
The Yellows halted a run of seven matches in all competitions – six in the league – without a victory at The MEL Group stadium with Saturday’s 2-0 success against previously ninth-placed Bromsgrove Sporting.
Striker Joe Neal put the magical three points against the top 10 side beyond any doubt when running onto Adam Mills’ 81st minute low cross to the far post, having also converted from the same player’s pass on 38.
It saw AFC jump up two places in the Pitching In Southern League Premier Central table to fourth-from-bottom and close the gap to safety from five points to just two ahead of travelling to basement side Long Eaton United on Saturday (3pm).
Abbott said: "Look, firstly there was never any concerns that we would start turning those home draws into wins.
"I think it's important to get not winning at home off your back.
"Our home form has been fairly decent with two losses, five draws and now a win, so actually I think we've shown that we've competed with most teams at home, bar Redditch (4-0 loss) really.
"So look, of course it can be a platform as it should give the players confidence because they've beat a decent side in the league and one that there's no questions that we should have won."
This weekend’s opponents go into the contest in Nottinghamshire, with AFC having offered fans who watched the Bromsgrove fixture a limited number of coach spaces free of charge, looking to close the gap to the their Suffolk visitors to four points with a game in hand.
But Abbott does not see the fixture, which comes ahead of successive Saturday home games, as being a key one in their season.
"I think backing up Saturday's win is important but I don't see it as season-defining if I'm honest,” he said.
"I think like we said at the start of the season, our home form has got to be the most important area.
“But look, they'll be a team that are going to be tough to beat so we'll make sure we prepare as we normally do for games.
"We know they've got some threats as well but for us, coming off the back of Saturday should give us a real indication that we can take the game to them.”
The home crowd last weekend got to see a new-look forward line in action with Peterborough United’s free-scoring under-18s player Reuben Marshall having joined on loan to play alongside Neal.
The pair were supplemented by the service of tricky wide players Mills, who also made his home debut, and Billericay Town loanee Malachi Napa.
And Abbott thinks their attacking threat will only get better as they get more used to each other.
"We were very happy with them Saturday,” he said.
"Adam Mills obviously assisted two of Joe Neal's goals.
"Joe Neal again contributed with two goals.
"I thought it was Malachi Napa's best game, so we were happy with the frontline but also the impact Romario (Dunne) had coming off the bench was also positive.
"They're going to get better the more they understand each other's games. With the exposure they'll have in games together they'll learn a lot more what they want and like.”
He also stressed the importance of captain Jake Turner’s return in central midfield following his spell out with an ankle injury.
“Jake’s started the last two,” he said, “he played 60 odd minutes at Hitchin and then 90 on Saturday so we were obviously pleased.
"He's added that steel and grit to the midfield and is a leader that drives standards and drives people on."
Meanwhile, AFC have rearranged their trip to Coalville Town for Tuesday, November 21 (7.45pm).
