No Boxing Day Cheer

There was no Christmas cheer for AFC on Boxing Day when the league’s newcomers clinched a fourth consecutive away win with a late goal.

The home side had plenty of the play, particularly in the first half, but they could not turn possession into goals. The second half was a more even affair with few clear cut chances as defences dominated. With time running out it looked odds on a goal less draw until a fine strike from Brightlingsea’s Ollie Canfer clinched victory for his side to move within two points of the hosts in the league table.

AFC boss David Batch was forced to change a winning side with Correy Davidson, scorer of four goals in the previous two games, being unavailable. Jack Wilkinson had recovered from illness and he returned in a re-shuffled side.

The morning frost had disappeared and the pitch looked good when Sudbury kicked off in front a holiday crowd of 287 fans including many supporting the visitors.

After an even opening the first chance fell to Sudbury after five minutes when former Brightlingsea striker Terry Rymer broke down the left and his cross found James Baker whose low shot was cleared off the line by a defender.
At the other end a chance fell to Phil Kelly but he hurried his shot well off target.

Mid-way through the half, after a good AFC build-up, Rymer broke goal wards but was denied by a fine save from keeper Andrew Plummer diving to his left.

For the visitors former Sudbury player Russell Malton got a dipping shot on target that keeper Marcus Garnham saved at the expense of Brightlingsea’s only corner of the half which came to nothing.

Sudbury finished the half strongly and a long throw into the box by Wilkinson fell to Ryan Henshaw who shot inches wide.
Just before the break only a flying save by Plummer, the best save of the game, kept out a long distance dipping block-buster of a drive from Ben Robinson (pictured).

Half time: AFC Sudbury 0 Brightlingsea Regent 0

Early in the second half Garnham easily saved a header from Kelly and then the Sudbury keeper hurried a clearance which fell to Ben Newson who missed the target with the keeper off his line.

Generally defences began to dominate although on the hour Rymer brought a diving save from Plummer and four minutes later Lawrence Yiga got a low shot on target from Sudbury’s best move of the half but again Plummer saved well.Brightlingsea enjoyed more play as time went on and twice Garnham saved well.

Just when it looked as if the game would end goal less Brightlingsea snatched victory two minutes from time when a free kick into the box was cleared only as far as Canfer who volleyed home an unstoppable shot to win the game for the visitors.

Att 287

PAT ARBON