Unbeaten Record Goes

Well that was not what anyone expected as they arrived at Mill Field perhaps for the last time as Aveley expect to be in their new home next season. AFC crumbled to defeat watched not only by a number of their supporters but also by at least seven other Ryman League managers, chairmen or representatives.

A 3-0 defeat to see AFC’s unbeaten run since the start of the season end was not what Sudbury manager David Batch wanted as he returned from his summer vacation.

There was one change to the starting line-up from the previous game with James Baker starting up front and Payton Swatman taking a place on the bench. Ollie Hughes started his last game before jetting off to start a new teaching post in Gran Canaria. Kris Newby (pictured) came into the squad having served his three-match suspension. There was change in formation with Lawrence Yiga lining up at in an unusual right back position.

Aveley had the first chance with Weemes forcing Alex Archer, equaling Ben Nower record of consecutive appearances, 98, to save. It was the home side that took the lead with quarter of an hour gone. A right wing cross-found the head of Nesbitt and he got the better of Yiga to head home.

AFC’s first effort came on nineteen minutes when a Jake Reed shot went wide. Six minutes later he had a shot saved low down by Marrable in the home goal, but AFC’s efforts were lacking cohesion.

On thirty-one minutes Aveley doubled their lead, Nesbit crossed from the left and Elbi was allowed room to head home.

Following a Michael Shinn long throw into the Aveley penalty area Ryan Henshaw had two shots blocked and in stoppage time Marrable was forced to parry a fierce Reed shot and from the rebound James Baker fired over.

Half time: - Aveley 2 AFC Sudbury 0

There were no substitutions from AFC after the break, as the visitors were more determined in their approach. Shinn found himself yellow carded after a number of warnings, before the first AFC changes occurred on fifty-eight minutes. Ryan Maxwell and Hughes departed to be replaced by Jordan Blackwell and debutant Newby.

There was then a tackle from Sam Clarke that had the Aveley players surrounding the referee as they seemed to do at any opportunity. The handbags continued with almost all the players involved. After some while the situation sorted itself out with no help from the match officials who seemed particularly uneasy about it all. When it had quietened down Craig Pope, Blackwell and Clarke were booked along with Aveley’s Weemes.

Shinn got in a cross to Blackwell but the youngster’s swerved shot went wide.
Reed then had a shot on the turn that hit a defender going for a corner from which a Newby header went across the goal for another corner as AFC applied some pressure.

Newby then took a free kick that went wide as he strived for his first AFC goal. Jack Guyton took over from Lee Flynn with twelve minutes of normal time left.

Aveley’s Elbi got away from the AFC defence and appeared to shoot wide, but it later transpired that it had been a fine fingertip save by Archer, thus the protestations of the home forward.

Yiga, who had reverted to a more normal central defensive position and looked far more comfortable, got in a great tackle to deny Hopkins. Archer than had to be alert to save a shot by Weemes.

Aveley substitute Bakare skipped passed Guyton getting the ball across the box to Elbi who looked as if he must score with his header but somehow Archer pulled off a great save to deny him.

AFC defender a corner but in doing so lost the services of Ryan Henshaw who suffered a knee injury when a home player fell on him.

In stoppage time with AFC down to ten men Aveley did add a third when Nesbitt went through and chipped over Archer.

So a defeat and a less than special team performance, hopefully one that won’t be repeated in the near future.

Att 125

YNOT