It was to be no Premier Cup Final for AFC as they lost out to Thurlow Nunn side Whitton United, losing by the odd goal in five late in the second period of extra time at Bloomfields Needham Market.

AFC Manager Jamie Godbold had to make enforced changes to his side with both Marcus Garnham and Craig Parker cup-tied and Captain Sam Clarke out with an ankle injury picked up in the last game. James Baker returned to captain the team and Luke Avenell was in goal.
AFC set up with three at the back, Baker in the centre alongside Kyran Clements on the left and Ryan Henshaw on the right.

It was the lower league side that took the lead in the eighth minute. A well-rehearsed free kick routine saw Williams putting the ball into the back of the Sudbury net.

The bumpy pitch was not helping either side with the passing game, and the ball was going from end to end. In the twenty-fifth minute Josh Kerridge had a shot that ex-AFC goal keeper Liam Jones tipped away for a corner. From it Henshaw saw his headed saved and another corner gained, this time he headed the ball into the goalkeeper’s arms.

Whitton nearly doubled their lead on twenty-eight minutes, Avenell receiving a back pass cleared but the ball but it struck Clarke going goalwards and only just over the AFC bar. Ayrton Coley having a fair amount of the ball, but generally running into trouble did have a shot that was easily saved. Powell for Whitton became the first booking of the night just before Sudbury equalised. A quick free kick then a quick throw in saw the ball fall to Jordan Blackwell (pictured)in the penalty area and he fired home.

Henshaw was then cautioned after blocking Williams and shortly afterwards the Ipswich based side went in front again. A free kick into the box looked harmless enough with Avenell saving low down, however the ball squirmed from him and Dye was on hand to score.

Tow further booking for Whitton with Clarke for not retreating as AFC looked to take a quick free kick and Bevis for saying too much.

Half-Time; AFC Sudbury 1 Whitton United 2

AFC started brighter and on the front foot and within ten minutes were on even terms. Blackwell, who was outstanding all game with his energy and enthusiasm, did well on the right wing getting the ball to Robinson to cross the ball and there was Tyler Kemp stooping to head home. It was his first goal for the club.

Ollie Berquez looking in command in midfield was yellow carded for one too many fouls. AFC were certainly in charge of the tie but there was no end product to several good crosses, one from Blackwell another from Robinson failed to find a Sudbury player to score.

Clements made way for Scott Kemp, as AFC continued to go forward Blackwell having a shot pushed away by Jones. Substitute Kemp got on the end of a good run by Coley but failed with a poor shot. Terry Rymer who had few chances fluffed another with a shot going wide.
Certainly AFC were the dominant force in the half but could not breach the Whitton defence so into extra-time it was.

After Ninety Minutes; AFC Sudbury 2 Whitton United 2

Extra –Time

Sudbury made a change at the start with Gianfranco Mallardo replacing Coley. Blackwell continued to trouble the Whitton left back Mead who after several fouls on him was booked. Rymer then broke through the United ranks but missed the target. Henshaw went off suffering a slight knock and for his own safety as he had been spoken to a couple times for some silly fouls. Mark Ray took his place.

Whitton’s Dye had a shot that struck Baker and then the Sudbury bar to go out for a corner. They then had a free kick that Avenell held onto, before Sudbury had a great chance to go into the lead. Rymer fed the ball to Scott Kemp in the penalty area and somehow the young striker lifted the ball high over the bar with the goal at his mercy.

Half Time in Extra Time; AFC Sudbury 2 Whitton United 2

Ray bustled his way forward but his shot was tame and easily saved. The game was stretched and Whitton’s Williams made a run with baker shielding him and eventually getting in a great tackle to clear the ball. Scott Kemp was being very ambitious when he tried a long range shot that was way over and it incurred the wrath of his manager on the sidelines.

Squibb took over from Bevis for Whitton before AFC were awarded a free kick some twenty-five yards out. Rymer took it but it went straight through to Jones who collected easily. With AFC pressing they were then caught by the sucker punch. A long ball out of defence saw Powell run through the bare defence of AFC and shoot home to the delight of ‘The Greens’ and their supporters
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Before the restart Rymer and Ray were outspoken and were yellow carded for their comments. Two more substitution for Whitton as Williams and Clarke went off, Nogueria and Marjoram replacing them.

AFC continued to press and their man of the match Blackwell racing forward was crudely chopped down by Sheppard and he was duly booked. There was to be no equaliser and it was Whitton who progressed to the final.

A tie that should have been won by AFC, but if you create chances and don’t take them out of the competition you go.

Att 156

YNOT