This was the game that AFC needed at least a point from to secure a Ryman North play-off place and they more than did that as they secured three points and their nearest challenger Brentwood Town could only get one from their fixture.

AFC Manager Jamie Godbold had his entire squad to select his team from, all free from injury, suspensions, and any other commitments. In the end he left gave Ryan Henshaw a rest playing Scott Mitchell at the centre of defence and brought back Ollie Berquez into midfield.

Before the game James Baker, who was captain for the day as he made his two hundredth appearance for the club, collected the AFC Supporters Player Of The Year Award.

The visitors who were endevouring to avoid one of the two remaining relegation spots started brightly. Murphy firstly headed over, then Marcus Garnham tried to dribble the ball out and crashed the ball against Cockman with it going just wide. The same player then had a long shot that Garnham collected, this all in the first three minutes.

Things changed with twelve minutes gone a through ball found Luke Callander and the striker coolly lobbed Parker in the Redbridge goal. The visiting keeper was then two minutes later sent off and he came out at the advancing Craig Parker and took his legs away. The foul was clearly a penalty and referee Cutmore had no option but to show him a red card. Murphy took the keeper’s jersey but he could not stop James Baker as he put away the spot kick.

It took ten minutes before AFC increased their lead Mitchell and Callander releasing Sam Clarke who went through to fire home. Callander and Blackwell were both looking lively up front against the ten men.

Then minutes before the break the fourth goal went past the stand-in keeper as Kris Newby shot into the far corner, the ball going in off the post. Murphy did make a good save to keep out Callander just before half time.

Half-Time; - AFC Sudbury 4 Redbridge 0

‘The Motormen’ having had time to reassess their goalkeeping situation started the half with Murphy back in midfield and Cockman in goal and substitute Wallace on for Adams. A few minutes later they made another change with Winn going off and Gent taking his place.

Murphy was booked as his foot was high and nearly in the face of Newby who did well not to over react. Sudbury continued to press and on the hour mark Craig Parker went through the middle of the visitor’s defence and netted the fifth goal.

Josh Kerridge came on for AFC with Berquez going off with twenty minutes left as the home side pressed forward but could not break down the Redbridge defence. Baker, Callander and Parker all had efforts but they really did not trouble the second half goalkeeper.

Surprisingly Redbridge mounted a couple of attacks and Garnham who had been a virtual spectator for the majority of the game was forced into a couple of smart saves. Both Wallace and Murphy sent the AFC keeper down to the ground to keep the ball out and retain his clean sheet.

The last substitutions took place Scott Kemp and Terry Rymer replaced Callander and Ben Robinson, the latter not having missed a minutes play since he joined the club earlier in the season. Winn for Redbridge replaced Bansende.

Sam Clarke put in a blockbuster of a shot that Cockman saved well and Thompson for Redbridge had an effort saved as the game came to a conclusion.

AFC got their three points for the play-offs while Redbridge were condemned to relegation.

So an away game before the play-off game that will take place at The Wardale Williams Stadium on Wednesday 29th April with a 7.45pm kick off.

Att 367

YNOT