Victory in Essex

AFC Sudbury got back to winning ways on Saturday as their fine away form continued with a victory thanks to Scott Kemp scoring the only goal of the game midway through the first half.
Manager David Batch gave a debut to goal keeper Marcus Garnham, newly signed from neighbours Bury Town. Alex Archer, who had played over a hundred consecutive games in goal, was named amongst the substitutes. There was one other change with Ayrton Coley getting the nod ahead of Ryan Hervel who also dropped to the bench. A notable absentee was striker James Baker who was suffering from illness.
Romford went into the game on the back of three consecutive league defeats but they started brightly and twice in the opening stages keeper Garnham twice made crucial saves. First he denied home striker Ryan Imbert who had broken away and only had the keeper to beat. Garnham then parried a fierce drive from James Ishmail and then he saved Ollie Dingli’s follow up header.
These chances proved to be Romford’s best of the game as from then on they got very little change out of a sound Sudbury defence and Garnham was rarely troubled.
Having weathered the early storm Sudbury got more into the game and they took the lead after 21 minutes when the home defence lost possession and teenager striker Kemp finished clinically with a fine shot into the corner of the Romford net.
Sudbury went on to have the better of the half but home keeper Aaron Omand made some crucial saves.
Half time: Romford 0 AFC Sudbury 1
Chances were few in the second period with defences dominating.
Midway through the half Sudbury twice went close. First Kris Newby had a fierce drive deflected for a corner and then a fine left wing move ended with Coley having a shot palmed away.
Soon after, Craig Pope became the first recipient of a yellow card when he stopped a Romford attack. The hosts did get the ball into the Sudbury net from the resulting free kick but Ishmail’s header was ruled out for offside.
Ryan Henshaw was next to see yellow when he stopped Romford’s Jacob Dinghi breaking through.
Sudbury had their chances but were unable to make them count, particularly when substitute Lawrence Yiga, who had replaced Coley, shot weakly at the home keeper.
Just before the end Robbie Norris blazed Romford’s best chance over the bar leaving Sudbury winning their sixth away league game of the season from a match that never rose to any great heights.

Attendance: 89.

PAT ARBON