Mildenhall Town have plenty of belief heading into FA Cup tie against higher-league AFC Sudbury

Outsiders may tag them as underdogs, but player-manager Phil Weavers is confident that his Mildenhall Town side will head into Saturday’s Emirates FA Cup tie against AFC Sudbury with the belief that they can an upset (3pm).

This weekend’s visitors to The Riverside Stadium ply their trade two levels above Mildenhall in the Pitching In Southern League Central Premier Division following the previous campaign’s promotion.

And while it was a summer of upheaval which included a change in management and a high player turnover, the four points collected from two outings over the bank holiday weekend is likely to see Sudbury head into the first qualifying round clash full of confidence.

But positivity is also reigning at Mildenhall right now with Weavers’ side having won all six of their games in all competitions so far this term.

Looking ahead to the all-Suffolk affair, Weavers said: “I’d always back us no matter what situation we’re in or whoever we’re playing.

“It’s going to be tough, we know that. Sudbury are a fantastic team and what they achieved last year was brilliant.

“I know there have been some changes over the summer and Abbo (Marc Abbott, Sudbury manager) is probably still trying to implement his style, but their recent results show that they’re going in the right direction.

“We’re the same in some ways because it’s a new group, so they may not know too much about us either.

“All the cliches will be thrown out I'm sure about no pressure and underdogs and things like that, but we go into every game believing we can win it and this one will be no different.”

Mildenhall head into the Sudbury clash on the back of a 3-2 win at Ely City in the Isuzu FA Vase on Saturday, which was followed on Tuesday night by a 4-1 victory over neighbouring Soham Town Rangers in the Thurlow Nunn League Premier Division.

Those results added to the continuation of Mildenhall’s perfect start to 2023/24, yet Weavers feels that there is still more to come from his group.

He added: “It’s been as good a start as you can hope for results wise, but the most pleasing thing is I don’t think we’ve hit our straps fully yet.

“In terms of intensity and application the lads have been second to none, but because it’s a new group, other things will take a bit of time to come.

“It’s been tough at times, having conversations and leaving really good players out. It’s something I knew I’d have to do when this group came together and it’s character building for me as a manager.

“But ultimately it’s for the good of the team. I heard an interview with Eoin Morgan (England Cricket’s World Cup-winning captain) recently and he said the great sides that have success always have great players missing out.

“It’s got to be a squad mentality and everyone driving towards the same goal, which is something I feel like we’ve got.

“There’s been some tough conversations and some disappointed people, but we’re six from six so it’s going well.”

Midfielder Alfie Connor (unavailable) will miss the game against Sudbury, but he should return in time for Tuesday’s home league encounter against Ely City (7.45pm).