A Win At The Ram

AFC Manager Jamie Godbold brought all his first team squad together for this fixture against the neighbours and rivals at Ram Meadow. The only player missing was central defender James Baker.

Marcus Garnham returned in goal, and back at his old club he wore the Captain's armband with Sam Clarke on the bench. The first quarter of the game was very much even stevens with neither side able to dominate.

AFC's first real chance fell to Callander who fired a free kick over the Bury bar. The hosts responded with Reed feeding ex-AFC man Ollie Hughes whose shot was well saved by Garnham. The visitors came back with a cross that was saved by O'Sullivan but came back to Ryan Horne who shot wide.

A Barber free-kick for Bury found the head of Hughes at the far post but his header struck the woodwork. Garnham then had to save well following a corner that Debenham headed down at the far post.

Luke Callander was then in the thick of the action, first going down the middle and having a shot saved by O'Sullivan, but two minutes before the interval Callander was on the spot close in to shoot home from close range to give Sudbury the lead. Garnham did well to be alert to tip over a header Reed just before the half-time whistle.

Half -Time;- Bury Town 0 AFC Sudbury 1

There were five changes at the break with, Sam Clarke, Craig Parker, Adam Tann, Rob Eagle and Callum Robinson coming on. The home side were level some after the re-start following a corner from the left ex-AFC man Ollie Canfer scored from close range.

AFC then proceeded to show far more efficiency, controlling the ball better, passing it around and using the full width of the pitch as they retained possession well. Three minutes into the half they were in front again and it was Callander who ran through the middle of the Bury defence to fire home giving Heath another ex-Sudbury no chance.

Garratt for Bury replied with a shot that struck the post. AFC should have added a third but after Clarke and Parker combined Callander shot wide. Canfer had a chance to level at the far post but he headed wide.

Liam Wales came on with Callander taking a rest. Debenham got through but Callum Robinson saved well in the Sudbury goal. With twenty minutes to go Parker twice shot wide but the game was wrapped up three minutes from time. A move involving Clarke and Bantick end up with the ball at the feet of Eagle who controlled it well and shot home.

Another win and another good workout for the AFC squad.

Att 111

AFC;- Marcus Garnham sub 46 Callum Robinson), Ben Robinson, Jack Wilkinson, Danny Cunningham (sub 46 Sam Clarke), Ryan Henshaw, (sub 46 Adam Tann) Stefano Mallardo, Jordan Blackwell (sub 46 Rob Eagle), Adam Guest, Luke Callander (sub 67 Liam Wales), Ryan Horne (sub 46 Craig Parker), Sam Bantick

YNOT