A Good First Workout

Although goalless after ninety minutes this was a good game for the players to perform in and also for the supporters to watch.

AFC starting line up; - 1 Alex Archer, 2 Craig Pope, 3 Stefano Mallardo, 4 Ryan Maxwell, 5 Ryan Henshaw, 6 Lawrence Yiga, 7 Steve Spriggs, 8 Sam Clarke, 9 James Baker, 10 James Crisell, 11 Ayrton Coley

The Brewers Green pitch was in good condition and the sun was shining for this, the first game of the 2014/15 season. There was a good turnout of AFC supporters in the crowd estimated at 131 and they saw something of all of the clubs new signings, Kris Newby apart, the forward have transport problems in getting to Norfolk.

Playing on the left side new signing Ayrton Coley looked dangerous for most of the half with some penetrating runs. Captain Sam Clarke and James Baker both looking very trim worked hard and new player/fitness coach Ryan Maxwell did well sitting just in front of the back four containing seventeen year-old Stefano Mallardo at left back, Craig Pope at right back and Lawrence Yiga in a central defensive role.

Steve Spriggs, looking back to full fitness, made some surging runs down the right and was unlucky on a couple of occasions not to score, denied by good goalkeeping. Alex Archer was little troubled in the AFC goal and James Crisell worked hard in midfield.

The second half started with a number of changes; - 1 Alex Archer (Curtis Child 80), 2 Jack Guyton, 3 Stefano Mallardo, (Olly Hughes 60) 4 Jake Reed, 5 Craig Pope 6 Lawrence Yiga (Kryan Clements 70), 7 Jack Wilkinson, 8 Scott Kemp, 9 Payton Swatman, 10, Michael Shinn, 11, Jordan Blackwell,

At the back Mallardo switched to right back and Jack Wilkinson freshly recovered from his hernia operation at right back, Craig Pope was in central defence with Yiga. In midfield Shinn did the holding role with Kemp Guyton and Swatman around him. Jordan Blackwell and new striker Jake Reed formed the attacking spearhead and both had chances but were stopped but the home keeper.

Olly Hughes who will soon be off to new employment overseas came onto replace Mallardo which meant a bit of shuffling around and Hughes going up front and he was unlucky with a couple of goal bound efforts. Yiga was the next to be replaced having looked very commanding as befits his 6'6" frame, youngster Kyran Clements took his place.

AFC had the vast majority of the play and although they could not put the ball in the back of the net looked the much better side. With about ten minutes to go another young player was on, Curtis Child taking over from Archer in the AFC goal.

So the first ninety minutes have come and gone, it's a long way to next May