Great Away Win

A Kris Newby (pictured) hat-trick and a brace from Ayrton Coley, his first goals for the club, helped AFC Sudbury to a convincing victory at basement side Great Wakering Rovers.

Due to injuries and suspensions manager David Batch was forced to make changes with recent signing Ryan Hervel making his first start and there was a return for midfielder Andy Heald due to his work commitments in the area. For the second consecutive game front man James Baker played a defensive role.

On a perfect evening for football Sudbury had the best of the early play and they took a ninth minute lead when Newby headed home Lee Flynn’s in-swinging free kick from the right.

Jay Nash failed to hit the target from a Wakering counter attack before Sudbury doubled their lead with Newby’s second after 25 minutes. Skipper Michael Shinn started the move when he sent Coley away down the right and his cross was tucked home by Newby from close range.

Wakering squandered two other good chances before Sudbury made it 3-0 seven minutes before the break when Coley gave a lesson in finishing when he chipped the home keeper from a narrow angle after a good build-up.

Half-time: Great Wakering Rovers 0 AFC Sudbury 3

The home side started the second half positively and they twice went close before they reduced the deficit after 56 minutes with a solo effort from Tom Strickland.

It was a wake up call for Sudbury who restored their three goal advantage seven minutes later when Newby broke away to complete his hat-trick with a fine finish. It was the first Sudbury hat-trick since Lee Boylan scored three times against Romford in October 2012.

After 75 minutes, Baker, who was having another fine game in the heart of the Sudbury defence, became the only player to be yellow carded for what was deemed an extra strong tackle. It seemed a harsh decision.

There was plenty of end to end football before Sudbury rounded off a fine victory with a fifth goal five minutes from time when Coley scored his second. He latched on to a free kick, wrong footed his marker and then the keeper before slotting the ball home to bring the curtain down on a very entertaining game.

Attendance: 126

The win gives AFC fourteen points from eight games and lifts them up to seventh place in the Ryman North table.

PAT ARBON