After being well beaten in their previous match, AFC Sudbury performed better on Saturday when they came from behind to earn a share of the spoils thanks to Jake Reed’s second half equaliser.

AFC boss David Batch was forced to make a change with defender Ryan Henshaw sidelined with an injury from the previous game. This resulted in Jack Guyton being given his first start of the season. Another change was Jordan Blackwell starting in place of Daniel Maxwell who dropped to the bench.

A notable record was created by AFC keeper Alex Archer. He was making his 99th consecutive appearance thereby overtaking the previous record set by Ben Nower. Archer had a fine game as did central defender Lawrence Yiga who last season was a Ware player.

Ware, who had only been beaten once in their previous three games, had the first chance after three minutes when a cross found Michael Deane unmarked on the edge of the area, but the home skipper fired high over the bar.

At the other end Reed latched on to a poor clearance but home keeper Rhys Madden saved and then James Baker fired over from the edge of the area. Madden then did well to save from Reed who cut in from the right.

Defences went on to dominate until the home side took the lead after 31 minutes with a quick counter attack. A chance fell to AFC but Blackwell’s weak shot was easily saved and from Madden’s clearance a break down the home left resulted in a cross that Kieran Bishop hammered into the roof of the net from close range.

Just before the break the home keeper appeared to handle just outside the area when he cut out a cross. But play continued with AFC’s appeals falling on deaf ears.

Half time: Ware 1 AFC Sudbury 0

Ware were quick out of the blocks at the start of the second half but failed to hit the target from three good openings before AFC’s Kris Newby was halted in full flow just outside the home area by Aala Oujdi who became the first recipient of a yellow card.The free kick came to nothing.

The home side continued to look dangerous on the counter attack and the speedy Keiran Bishop raced goalward but Craig Pope go back to rob the striker.Bishop then broke again but this time Archer was quick of his line to deny him.

Having survived these home chances Sudbury got more into the game and there were several scrambles in front of the Ware goal before the pressure paid of with an equalising goal after 63 minutes. Newby made a great run down the right and his deep cross found Jake Reed (pictured) at the far post who stole in to beat Madden with an angled header.

From then on chances were rare. Sudbury’s only yellow card came late on when Pope and Ware’s Deane clashed. Both were cautioned.

Sudbury finished strongly forcing three corners in stoppage time without reward leaving it honours even which was just about a fair result.

Att 87

PAT ARBON