Berquez Brace Takes AFC to Third

Three second half goals, including a brace from midfielder Ollie Berquez, helped AFC Sudbury complete their fourth double of the campaign and extend their unbeaten league run to eight games to move up to third in the table after other results went their way.

Manager Jamie Godbold made four changes to the side that started in the midweek League Cup defeat. As expected goal keeper Marcus Garnham returned. There was a first start in eight games for Lee Flynn in a reshuffled defence, while Craig Parker and Jordan Blackwell also returned. James Baker retained the captain’s armband and he moved to his more attacking role with Terry Rymer dropping to the bench.

Bottom of the table Burnham, who have won only three games all season, defended stoutly in a goal less first half. They were helped by some indifferent Sudbury finishing and some good goal keeping by Matt Belcher when shots were on target, particularly two great saves to keep out fine shots from defender Tyler Kemp who made several dangerous sorties upfield.

It began to look as it was going to be one of those days in front of goal when Blackwell struck a post just before the break.

Half time: Burnham Ramblers 0 AFC Sudbury 0

Early in the second half another fine save by Belcher kept out a Berquez header and the cross bar denied a header from Craig Parker as Sudbury continued to dominate. Their pressure on the home goal paid off after 59 minutes when a fine move down the Sudbury left ended with a pass finding Berquez who shot home to give the visitors the lead.

Burnham, who had rarely threatened up to this point, upped their game and twice Garnham in the Sudbury goal made good saves to preserve their lead until two goals in a four minute spell from the 82nd minute sealed victory for the Suffolk side.

Rymer, who had just come off the bench, did well to keep the ball in play to set up a move that found Berquez who volleyed home his second of the game. And then a pin-point pass from Kris Newby found Rymer who sealed victory with a third goal from a crisp finish.

Just before the final whistle, Scott Kemp, who had replaced Newby minutes earlier, came close to adding a fourth when he broke through the home defence only to see his shot go just the wrong side of the post.

Three points, a clean sheet and no bookings made it a very satisfying day for Godbold’s side as they kept their playoff hopes very much alive.

Atendance: 94

Pat Arbon