Energetic Encounter Ends Even

AFC Sudbury fans were treated to a thriller at the MEL as we played out a 3-3 draw with Chesham United. Luke made a couple of changes to the starting lineup, but as always, we had Carter in goal. Our backline consisted of Harrison (C), Jarvis, Daniels and Provan. In midfield we had Bezant, Jouvenel and Frazzoni, and in attack Jeffery, Penny and Leyer. We had a strong bench consisting of Egan, Lambe, Dodd, Fisher and Edwards.

The Suds started brightly, and could have been 1-0 up inside three minutes, but Ava Jouvenel hit over from inside the penalty area. It didn’t take long for the Suds to take the lead though as Jeffers scored a wonderful goal 9 minutes in, as she got the ball on the left-hand side of the penalty area she hit her shot that curled right into the top corner. Millie Carter was soon called into action when she made a fantastic save as she rushed out of goal to keep our lead intact. The visitors got a dangerous free kick for an alleged foul, despite Amber Provan being on the receiving end of a studs up challenge the free kick went the other way. From the resulting free kick, the visitors equalised when the ball was stabbed into the back of the net. Frustrating. We didn’t let the equaliser put us down though as three minutes later Jeffers did it again! Fantastic work from Victoria Leyer who pulled the ball back to Jeffers who almost ‘copy and pasted’ her first finish and it found its way into the top corner again.

Half-Time: AFC Sudbury 2-1 Chesham United

In the second half, Millie was straight into action as she had to rush out to claim a through ball, in the process though the player ran staright into her and it looked sore, but she managed to carry on! With half an hour, Jeffers tapped in to an empty net for what would have been her hat-trick and a 3-1 lead, however, the referee stopped the game for a non-head injury on the goalkeeper. She then gave Chesham a drop ball, which didn’t reach a Sudbury player. Five minutes later, the visitors equalised as Fraser ran through one on one and slotted past Millie. It looked like the game was slipping away from us fully, when with just over 15 minutes remaining, Fraser scored again after neat play by Chesham. However, we weren’t behind for long as after a delightful cross by Jeffers, Imogen Fisher tapped in for a debut goal off the bench. In the final minutes Millie made an outstanding save as she managed to tip a fierce effort round the post.

Full-Time AFC Sudbury 3-3 Chesham United

Well, another brilliant performance from this team who just do not know when to stop. A game which was tough, and we were unlucky not to have all three points, as we fully dominated the match. Next up Cambridge United on Wednesday. Let’s hope the team can bring back three points!

UP THE SUDS

By Isaac Mennie