Nine Goal Thriller

This turned out to an action packed, well at least the second half game that sent the large crowd happy to have seen a nine-goal thriller.

The AFC management team were pleased that the Championship side sent a strong squad to the Wardale Williams Stadium, indeed the Ipswich Town Manager Mick McCarthy was in attendance.

Included in the visitors line up was Joe Robinson, brother of AFC’s Ben, and Josh Emmanuel brother of former AFC man Danny. They also included rising star Andre Dozell as well a number of fringe first team players.

AFC for their part were without both first choice fullbacks, so Jordan Blackwell and Tyler French filed the roles. Ryan Henshaw had a leg injury, both Marcus Garnham and Danny Cunningham were also not fully fit.

Ipswich started the game brightly and had the greater possession, with Dozell passing the ball with ease in midfield. They went ahead on fifteen minutes Blackwell missed a tackle and Stewart crossed from the left and there was McLoughlin to score close in.

Callum Robinson in the AFC goal did well to save from Stewart as the Ipswich was looking to impress his watching manager. Ipswich put in a great move and Patterson should have done better with his finish.

AFC attacked on the break with Rob Eagle (pictured) and Sam Bantick combining well with the latter having his shot saved by Crowe. It seemed the home side would go ion a goal down but in the final minute of the half Craig Parker sent Luke Callander away and he coolly chipped the ball over the advancing keeper to equalise.

Half-Time; - AFC Sudbury 1 Ipswich Town X1 1

Neither side made any changes and the second forty-five minutes was to be very entertaining.

Within two minutes of the re-start Ipswich went in front again. The lively Stewart cut in from the right and fired in a fierce shot that went in the AFC net at the far post. Sam Clarke did well some ten minutes later when he was on hand to make a goal line clearance after Robinson had pushed away a shot.

Eagle did well on the left and the firing in a cross that found Bantick but he shot horribly wide. Patterson for the visitors hit the AFC bar before the first substitution of the game took place. Liam Wales replaced Callander and had an immediate effect, latching onto a bad pass going forward and firing home.

Fowler took over from Emmanuel for Ipswich and he soon saw Wales net his second goal. Blackwell fed him and he again ran forward with purpose and slotted the ball into the back of Crowe’s net.

The lead did not last long as Stewart sent a cross that Morris put away, with seventeen minutes left. AFC were not to be level for long as they got the next goal a few minutes later when following a free-kick Eagle struck a shot from the edge of the area that flew passed Crowe.

Robinson went off and Smith was the Ipswich substitute for him before Stewart added a fourth goal for them his hard shot hitting the bar before going in.

Bantick was substituted having done well with young Bradley Beevis taking over and Ollie Dunlop replaced Jack Newman, as the game seemed destined to end level. There was however a twist in the tale as in stoppage time Craig Parker lashed a shot home from the edge of the area to give AFC the victory.

The 636 crowd could not have helped but have been entertained and hopefully some of them will return to watch AFC when the Ryman Premier League season starts.

Att 636

AFC;- Callum Robinson, Jordan Blackwell, Tyler French, Jack Newman (sub 85 mins Ollie Dunlop), Adam Tann, James Baker, Sam Bantick (sub 82 mins Bradley Beevis) Sam Clarke, Luke Callander (sub 67 mins Liam Wales) , Craig Parker, Rob Eagle, unused subs, Ollie Peters, Sam Mills

YNOT