Great Battling Away Performance

Terry Rymer’s goal midway through the first half earned AFC Sudbury a fine victory at Cheshunt on Saturday, to give caretaker manager Danny Laws back to back victories from his third game in charge and move his side into a play-off position albeit on goal difference.

It was a deserved win for a depleted Sudbury side due to illness and injury and who were reduced to ten men early in the second half when Lawrence Yiga was yellow carded for the second time.

Neither side came to terms with a strong blustery wind which resulted in defences dominating and there were few chances at either end.

Both sides twice failed to hit the target from half chances before Sudbury took the lead after 23 minutes from their second corner which was needlessly conceded by a home side defensive error.

The left wing flag kick was taken short and Kris Newby sent in a high teasing cross which home keeper Kalin Artakiev failed to hold and the ball fell to Rymer who shot home from close range.

Twice before half time Cheshunt failed to hit the target from half chances and some sound Sudbury defending secured their lead at the break.

Half time: Cheshunt 0 AFC Sudbury 1

Eight minutes into the second half Sudbury were reduced to ten men when Yiga was yellow carded for the second time, following a tackle after being booked for hand ball late in the first half which seemed a harsh decision after he fell on the ball following a strong challenge.

The hosts failed to make their numerical advantage count as they found the Sudbury rearguard in fine form and very little got through to keeper Marcus Garnham who had very little to do until late in stoppage time when he saved brilliantly to keep out a fierce shot from Joe O’Brien to keep a clean sheet and preserve a hard earned win for his side.

In stoppage time Johnny Kerridge (pictured) came on for his first team debut making him the 294th player to appear in AFC colours.

Att 135

Pat Arbon