It was a game that most expected to be postponed due to the weather, but thanks to the groundsman, resplendent in white trousers and gloves on such a wet muddy day it was declared on by the match referee.

This was before the heavy snow came down to make the Arena pitch even heavier, but nevertheless the ‘crowd’ of eighty-eight, most of them from the homeland of Suffolk were treated to a game that had a bit of everything. There were goals including, penalties, scored and missed, tackles and surprisingly on such a surface some really good football.

AFC Manager Jamie Godbold had to make changes with Lawrence Yiga suspended and Josh Kerridge unavailable, James Baker and new signing Craig Parker came into the side. The latter became the clubs 298th first team player. There was also a recall for Marcus Garnham in the Sudbury goal after being cup-tied against Witham.

It was Garnham who was first into the action as Rees beat two defenders the keeper saved with his out-stretched left foot. Ben Robinson had a shot go just over before Tyler Kemp repelled a home attack.

On eight minutes came AFC’s first goal and a better one you will not see this season. A long clearance by Garnham found Terry Rymer in the centre of the field and he got the ball to his right and there was Kris Newby. The Essex based player fully thirty yards out immediately connected with the outside of his right boot to direct it high and goalwards and to everyone’s delight it floated over Bowles in the Brentwood goal to settle in the back of the net.

Two minutes later Newby showed his other side and got involved after Town’s Richardson had made a heavy tackle and the referee issued him with yet another yellow card.

New AFC man Parker looked as though his debut would be marked with a goal but somehow from close range he put the ball over following good work from Sam Clarke and Ryan Henshaw.

Inexplicably on twenty minutes Brentwood were awarded a penalty following a left wing corner. There were no appeals but somehow the man in the middle decided an offence had been committed. Baucutt took the spot-kick but Garnham diving to his left saved it.

Jordan Blackwell who worked tirelessly all afternoon, switched wings with Newby, a tactic used regularly by the Sudbury management. It was Blackwell who netted the second AFC goal on thirty-five minutes. Baker found Clarke who fed the ball inside the Brentwood penalty area and it found Blackwell who neatly steeped around the defence and goalkeeper to score.

A Brentwood free kick from the right saw Rees shoot across the Sudbury goal as they endevoured to get back into the game. They however fell further behind two minutes before the break with great interchange between Rymer (pictured) and Blackwell and back again for the former Brightlingsea Regent man to score.

Half Time; Brentwood Town 0 AFC Sudbury 3

Both sides made changes after the interval; Newby went off with a slight problem to a recurring knee injury and Scott Kemp took over, while Stanley replaced Baucutt.

The home side had nothing to lose and went to an attacking 3-4-3 system to try and get back into the game. It was AFC that had the first chance with Blackwell on the right getting the ball in and it hitting Berquez, now wearing yellow gloves, before Henshaw shot over.

Tyler Kemp was booked, somewhat harshly for probably his first real foul, while several Brentwood players had committed indiscretions on numerous occasions and got away with them.

The Essex side were awarded a free kick in the centre of the park just under thirty yards from goal, it was far enough forward that the Sudbury wall was inside the penalty area. The kick was taken with the ball being drilled into the wall and again with no real appeals the referee awarded a second penalty for the ball allegedly striking the arm of Clarke in the wall. It may well of hit his arm but was it ball to hand? No. Stanley took the penalty and scored to reduce the deficit.

AFC’s three-goal advantage was restored on sixty-four minutes. Substitute Kemp interchanging passes with Rymer before crossing and at the far post Rymer had made a run to meet the ball and head home. His work rate had deserved the two goals he scored.

Stefano Mallardo came on for Tyler Kemp who was suffering a slight muscle problem to his back. The substitute was soon in the action blocking a Brentwood attack on the goaline before Osei fired the ball into the side netting.

The home side used their two other substitutes while Mark Ray replaced Rymer who had expended his energies.

Bantick for the hosts headed against the post before Baker cleared. Blackwell in trying to break away was held by Stokes and the home man was booked. This was their only card on a day when their players seemed virtually immune from having their details taken.

The final whistle went and all fourteen AFC man came off muddied and can have been proud of their sterling performances on a testing pitch and against a good Brentwood side.

The win, AFC’s sixth in succession saw them climb above their opponents to fourth spot in the table and sees them still unbeaten under their new management.

Att 88

YNOT