PREVIEW: AFC Sudbury vs Canvey Island (Bostik North)

Venue: Wardale-Williams Stadium (Brundon Lane)
Date: Saturday 12th August 2017.
Kick-off: 15:00 (BST)


AFC Sudbury kick-off their first season back at step four of non-league football, as they welcome Essex side Canvey Island FC to the Wardale-Williams Stadium.

The two sides met in the final match of the Ryman League Premier, last season. A 2-2 draw was not enough to save Canvey, as they were relegated for the first time in 20 years. Meanwhile, AFC's drop out of the Premier division was confirmed a week earlier.

Fast forward by four months, and the two sides will meet again in different circumstances. Two new-look sides will meet at the Wardale-Williams Stadium, in the rebranded Bostik North, as both teams begin their new season in the hopes of returning to the Premier division.


 Canvey's Pre-Season:
Canvey's pre-season saw them pick up two wins and six defeats, including defeats to EFL League One side Gillingham and Belgium third-tier side Patro Eisden Maasmechelen. Their two wins came over Great Wakering Rovers, and Manford Way.

The Islanders go into the match on the back of their 0-1 loss to Bostik South club Greenwich Borough

Canvey have brought in nine new players: Midfielders Sam Collins, Albert Levett, Frankie Merrifield, winger Ryan Charles, strikers David Knight, James Walker, defenders Luke Wilson, Jerrome Sobers and defender/midfielder Teddy Nasbitt are the new faces for the visitors.


AFC's Pre-Season
AFC were forced to rebuild their squad over the summer, following the departure of eleven players.

Ollie Dunlop, Mekhi McKenzie, Joe Wright and Alfie Carroll were all promoted from the Academy, and were joined by Rhys Henry, Joe Claridge, Adam Mills (all Maldon & Tiptree), Dave Cowley (most recently at Thurrock), Lheureux Menga (most recently at Harrow Borough), Jake Turner (Brightlingsea) and Paul Waker (most recently at Haverhill Borough).

The Suffolk side's pre-season record saw them lose one game in seven. AFC have claimed wins over Ipswich Town and Norwich City youth sides, along with Brightlingsea Regent.

And within the past day, AFC Sudbury have brought in former Maldon and Tiptree midfielder Jeremiah Kamanzi, who previously had involvements at West Ham Utd and Brentford.


New Strip
AFC Sudbury unveiled a new kit during the week, with aerospace engineering company MEL Group returning to sponsor AFC.

The new Bostik logos will also be sported on the arms.