Defeat At Hands Of City

AFC went into this game knowing the opposition was a step up in class and in the end it certainly showed and it also gave the players and management and idea of what is required a step further up the pyramid.

Sudbury started without both Jack Newman and Liam Wales who failed pre match fitness tests and Danny Cunningham was also missing. Stefano Mallardo was absent due to a car accident in which he was slightly shook up. Ryan Horne was not included having not been offered any further time with the club.

The Essex side from the Vanarama National League South side started with a number of triallists in the line-up and they were on the attack in the early part of the game.

AFC had a couple of chances one from Craig Parker and another from Luke Callander both ex-Clarets but they had no success..

For the visitors Skepelhorn got on the end of the flick on and his half volley came back off the foot of the post.

Chelmsford took the lead on the half-hour mark when Graham won the ball took it forward crossed it and Mullings
 was on hand to tap home.

The home side looking to get back in the game were unable to get through a resolute defence and indeed went a further goal behind on forty minutes. Chelmsford were awarded a free-kick just outside the penalty area and Bush stepped up to put the ball over the wall and past the despairing dive of Marcus Garnham in the home goal.

AFC had a chance from a similar free kick this time Callander stepped up and the visiting keeper tipped the ball over the bar.

Ben Robinson went off with a damaged ankle and Jack Wilkinson replaced him.

Half-Time; - AFC Sudbury 0 Chelmsford City 2

For AFC the second half saw Sam Bantick replace youngster James Baughurst who had not disgraced himself in the first period.

The visitors continued to play some neat football with their side looking bigger and stronger than the AFC men. On the hour mark they made a number of changes replacing several triallists with regular first team squad members.

Adam Tann suffered a knock to head and went off, returned but had to leave permanently with young Jake Colclough taking over.

Callander had shot on the run that went wide of the goal before he was replaced by another Academy product in Callum Vincent.

Marcus Garnham was the hero for AFC as he kept the visitors attack at bay with a number of outstanding saves to deny the Essex side. Reid had three chances, as he hit the crossbar, had a far post shot deflected wide before Garnham pulled off the save of the night by somehow getting his hand to a close range header that seemed destined to be a goal.

AFC’s final attack of the evening saw skipper Sam Clarke maraud forward but his shot went well over.

So Chelmsford won their fourth pre-season game and AFC lost their first, both sides will hopefully do well in their respective leagues this season.

Att 189

AFC Sudbury; - Garnham, Tann (sub 70 Colclough), Robinson (sub 42 Wilkinson), Baughurst (sub 46 Bantick), Henshaw, Baker, Blackwell, Clarke, Callander (sub 72 Vincent), Parker, Eagle

YNOT