AFC Bow Out

AFC failed to make it to the Suffolk FA Premier Cup Semi-Finals, losing to a Reece Dobson's strike early in the first half, and despite a battling second half the equalising goal never came.

AFC Manager Jamie Godbold fielded a strong side as the club attempted to make progress in a cup competition they have not done well in in recent years. Captain Sam Clarke was recalled to the starting line-up, along with Jack Newman and Jordan Blackwell, as Sam Bantick and Dylan Williams dropped to the bench Tyler French missed out to save him for the upcoming FA Youth Cup tie.

AFC started brightly and threatened in the opening stages with ex-Needham midfielder Craig Parker and Luke Callander both testing goalkeeper James Bradbrook.

Luke Callander was proving to be a real handful for the hosts in the early stages and he should have done better with a header from a Rob Eagle cross, instead heading the ball away from goal.

It was Needham who broke the deadlock with twelve minutes on the clock. Callum Harrisons cross was cleared only as far as Dobson who cooly slotted beyond Marcus Garnham with a composed finish.

The goal gave the Marketmen plenty of confidence and they should have gone into the break with a bigger advantage. With twenty minutes played, Luke Ingram the ex- AFC man was unfortunate not to score as his bullet header was off target when well placed.
Marcus Garnham was brought into action to keep out strikes from Manny Osei and Dobson.

A mis-timed Darryl Coakley challenge on Jordan Blackwell left referee Adrian Sannerude with a big decision to make on forty-one minutes. It was without doubt a bad foul from the Needham full back but the resulting card was only yellow much to the disgust of all from AFC.

Bradbrook continued to impress in the rare absence of Danny Gay. His terrific save denied Blackwell and ensured a half time lead.

Half Time: Needham Market 1 AFC Sudbury 0

Into the second half and it was AFC who had two quick fire opportunities to level. James Baker failed to hit the target after another ex-Needham player, Jack Wilkinson's cross field ball, before Craig Parker had a header that went straight into the arms of Bradbrook.

Sudbury were on top and were disappointed as a Rob Eagles effort rebounded off the crossbar and a Callander fluffed his lines when Eagle found him in plenty of space. The constant pressure seemed sure to bring the reward of an equalising goal but AFC found stand-in keeper Bradbrook in fine form. Late on he came to Needham’s rescue with arguably the save of the night, palming away a goal bound header from Parker to preserve his side’s narrow lead and knock AFC out of the competition.

Att 174

YNOT