Three Points Taken From Maldon

After losing their previous two league games injury hit AFC Sudbury got back to winning ways on Saturday thanks to Kris Newby’s first half goal, his third in the last two matches. The victory saw them leap-frog their Essex opponents in the league table on goal difference.

It was a game of few clear cut chances and one in which the home side finished with nine men after two sending-offs late on.
Sudbury’s injury list got worse before kick-off. Jake Reed was named in the starting eleven but he aggravated an injury in the warm-up and was replaced by Ayrton Coley.

There was unusual role for striker James Baker in that he played in central defence from the start. He had a fine game and played a big part in keeping only the second clean sheet of the season. There was a first start of the campaign for Jack Wilkinson, in a midfield role, and his long throw-ins were a feature of the game.

AFC’s most recent signing, Ryan Hervel, a midfielder from Ware, was named amongst the substitutes. He was introduced late on and did well.

After a cautious start, AFC, playing in all yellow due to clash of colours with the normal change kit, were forced into their first change after 10 minutes with an injury to defender Jack Guyton. He was replaced by Stefano Mallardo who fitted in well.
Defences dominated the early play but AFC created a chance after 18 minutes when Wilkinson did well to get in a cross from the left but Newby’s header was just too high.

A rare chance fell to Maldon when Karl Asante broke goal wards but Craig Pope got back to make a last ditch tackle at the expense of a corner which came to nothing.

The dead lock was eventually broken after 35 minutes from a right wing corner after Payton Swatman’s shot had been parried away by home keeper Jack Giddings. From the resulting right wing flag kick, taken by Lee Flynn, Kris Newby (pictured) rose highest at the far post to head home a fine goal to give AFC the lead.

Maldon’s best scoring chance came just before the break when Asante left fly with a fierce 20 yard drive but was denied by a fine save by Alex Archer at the expense of a corner which was easily dealt with.

Half time: Maldon and Tiptree 0 AFC Sudbury 1

The second half followed a similar pattern with few scoring opportunities at either end with Sudbury seemingly happy to defend their slender lead.For Sudbury a half chance fell to Coley but his header was too high while at the other end Joe Pearman was denied Archer’s diving save.

Mid way through the half Archer was penalised for holding on to the ball too long before clearing and from the resulting indirect free kick, just inside the area, Peaman’s effort was deflected for a fruitless corner.

With ten minutes left Maldon were reduced to ten men after defender Danny Johnson was yellow carded for the second time and three minutes later substitute Ben Sartain saw a straight red for a challenge on Michael Shinn.

Despite their lack of numbers Maldon pressed hard for an equaliser in the closing minutes but Sudbury comfortably held on for a deserved win.

Attendance: 81

PAT ARBON