FA Cup progress for AFC Sudbury as they score five goals without reply at lower-league Mildenhall Town

There was no Emirates FA Cup shock at The Riverside Stadium this afternoon as AFC Sudbury emphatically booked their place in the second qualifying round with a 5-0 victory over hosting Mildenhall Town.

While the visitors ply their trade two leagues higher, Mildenhall headed into the tie full of confidence having opened up the new campaign with a 100 per cent winning record from their first six outings in all competitions.

And for a while this all Suffolk affair was well balanced before Step 3 Sudbury moved through the gears during the final 30 minutes to run out comfortable winners.

Sudbury – wearing their changed blue shirts with the usual yellow shorts – broke the deadlock with their first meaningful attack in the fifth minute. Young midfielder Reuben Swann picked up possession 30 yards from goal, danced his way beyond a couple of challenges and then showed good composure to shoot low across Mildenhall goalkeeper Josh Pope and in off the far post.

Skipper-for-the-day Romario Dunne then shot straight at Pope while off balance and Michael Bareck fired into the side netting as Sudbury continued to carve out the better of the openings, while it was not until the 42nd minute that Mildenhall threatened for the first time. Jarid Robson slotted a pass through for Olly Hughes, who after doing well to get the ball out of his feet saw his shot well saved by James Bradbrook.

Sudbury’s number nine Joe Neal dragged a shot wide early on in the second half, but he was gift-wrapped another opportunity in the 61st minute and on this occasion the former Cambridge United trainee did not disappoint. From inside the AFC half, Mildenhall’s Robson attempted to pass the ball back towards his own centre-halves but instead only succeeded in finding Neal, who showed the retreating defenders a clean pair of heels before calmly slotting in his third goal in as many appearances.

It was a moment that seemed to knock the wind out of Mildenhall’s sails and their faint hopes of a dramatic comeback were extinguished in the 76th minute by a third Sudbury goal. Neal was the creator on this occasion, picking up the ball deep inside his own half before driving forward with purpose. He then fed the ball wide to the right for substitute Jamie Bennett, but despite Mildenhall getting some good numbers back, neither they nor Pope could do anything to prevent the Sudbury attacker picking out the top corner with his curling effort from the edge of the box.

Goal number four came in the 89th minute and it was lashed home by Ben Hunter after substitute Kaye Donohoe had picked him out and there was still enough time remaining for Olumide Oluwatimilehin to fire in his first goal for the club from distance.

Sudbury could have actually had more goals during stoppage time as both Donohoe and fellow substitute Samson Bello went through one-on-one, but Pope ensured that no further damage was done.

Mildenhall will look to bounce back at the first time of asking on Tuesday evening when they host Ely City in the Thurlow Nunn League Premier Division (7.45pm), while Sudbury will switch their focus back to Pitching In Southern League Central Premier Division duties next Saturday at Stratford Town (3pm).

Marc Abbott’s side will also have their eyes on Monday’s FA Cup draw, with the next round taking place on September 16.

Mildenhall: Pope, Nolan, Weavers, Capel, Coakley, Steed (Robinson 66’), Kaye (Swinton 28’), Anderson, Robson, Hughes (Bennett 76’), Call

AFC Sudbury: Bradbrook, Brown, Tarpey, Oluwatimilehin, Lewis, Dickens, Swann (Bennett 31’), Hunter, Neal (Donohoe 76’), Dunne, Bareck (Bello 76’)

Suffolk News Man of the Match – Joe Neal (AFC Sudbury): There are a few contenders for this award but it was hard to not be impressed by Neal. He got a goal, an assist and was a real thorn in the side of the Mildenhall defence all afternoon. He may wear the number nine shirt but he is far from just an out and out centre-forward and would often pop up in good areas out wide or a bit deeper.