Crows Fly Off The Victors

AFC welcomed Evo-Stik Southern opposition in Royston Town on a hot sunny Saturday afternoon for a pre-season friendly fixture. Manager Jamie Godbold included young defenders Tyler French (pictured) and Stefano Mallardo in defence, and Danny Cunningham and Wayne Blackwell and Liam Wales started the game. Missing through injury were Adam Tann and Ben Robinson.

Sudbury 'keeper Marcus Garnham did well to deny Royston's Jack Bradshaw from scoring from an 18th minute free-kick.

AFC best chance of the half came when Liam Wales made a good turn in the box on 26 minutes this from a Jordan Blackwell's long ball, but he his effort was blocked was blocked by the visitors' defence. The Sudbury forward was substituted in the 33rd minute with Luke Callander taking over.

In a very quiet first half the two teams went in level on a very hot afternoon.

Half-time: AFC Sudbury 0 Royston Town 0

The Sudbury management made several changes at the break, goalkeeper Callum Robinson, Sam Clarke, Rob Eagle and Jack Newman came on for Garnham, Mallardo, Blackman and Blackwell.

First half substitute Callander was unlucky not to score shortly after the restart, his low effort was saved by Yates in 'The Crows' goal.

The home side survived a scare,midway through the second period as Royston's Gary Cohen struck the woodwork.

The only goal of the game came after 76 minutes and it went to the Hertfordshire visitors when Gary Cohen calmly slotted home past Robinson.

With five minutes of the game remaining Godbold brought himself when Cunningham was injured and had to leave the field. Sam Bantick was involved late on with a free kick that Jack Wilkinson fired over and he had a shot on the run that went wide.

AFC Sudbury: Garnham (sub 45 C Robinson), French, Wilkinson, Cunningham (sub 85 Godbold), Mallardo (sub 45 Clarke), Baker, Bantick, Blackman (sub 45 Newman), Wales (sub 33 Callander), Parker, Blackwell (sub 45 Eagle).

Att 108

Louis Byers