Comeback Victory

AFC travelled to Mundford Road to take on their Norfolk opponents in their second pre-season game. The pitch was hard and bumpy.

AFC manager Jamie Godbold had several players unavailable but was able to use three triallists in the game to see their potential.

The home side started very brightly and put AFC very much on the back foot in the first fifteen minutes forcing a number of corners and having a couple of efforts cleared off the goal line.

The visitors managed to settle down and had a chance from a free kick from just outside the penalty area. Unfortunately Luke Callander managed to put the ball high over the bar and it disappeared into the nearby industrial estate! He made up for it heading against the post from a Sam Clarke free kick shortly afterwards as Sudbury began to show promise.

It was however the hosts that took the lead on twenty-six minutes when from a right wing corner James Dean headed home.

Jack Newman playing a holding role, (being watched by his father ex-Sudbury Town forward Louis Newman 1987-88 and 1990-91 57 apps 10 goals) burst through only to see his shot go wide. James Baker saw a shot saved on the line by the home ‘keeper before AFC equalised. Good work on the right from Ben Robinson and Romana Dunn saw Callander fire home.

Callander then put AFC in front, this after a good build up from the back with Baker and Kyran Clements getting the ball to the forward on the hallway line. He burst forward showing a great pace and shrugged off the challenges of the home defenders to shoot home.

Jus prior to the break Clarke had a shot well saved after Callander and Hollocks combined well.

Half time; - Thetford Town 1 AFC Sudbury 2

There were changes after the interval with Ryan Henshaw and Robinson going off and Ollie Canfer and Jordan Blackwell talking over.

Thetford should have equalised early on but were denied; Callander also saw a chance go begging.

AFC increased their lead and with it Callander made it a hat trick of goals as he fired into the net after receiving a right wing cross.

Craig Parker bustling in midfield saw a shot turned away for a corner as AFC’s quality showed against the oppositions energy.

Ollie Bowles in the AFC goal looked confident with al that was thrown at him and made a comfortable debut and there was another debut some ten minutes from time as manager Godbold took to the field. The diminutive man usually renown for flying down the wing took up a more midfield general role and looked to show his charges just how it should be down.

The clock run down and it was as they say ‘A good workout’.

Att 75

YNOT