The Great Escape

It was a day to remember for the incredibly well-dressed AFC Sudbury fans in Leamington. We made a couple of changes. Bradbrook started in goal, Lewis, Cawley, and Dickens at the back. We made the two changes in the midfield Olumide Oluwatimilehin and Romario Dunne replaced Ben Bradley, and Malachi Napa, they played alongside Pinnington, and Hunter. In attack we had Allen, Jackson, and Neal.

It wasn’t a first half to remember, we started brightly, with the match having a tense feeling in the air, with both teams wanting results for very different reasons. Leamington began to take control, the Yellows playing more of a counter attacking style of play. Olu went into the book in the first half for a 50/50 which the ref deemed to have been dangerous from Olu. However, neither team could break the deadlock in the opening 45 minutes.

Half-Time: Leamington FC 0-0 AFC Sudbury

In the second half, we all had seen that Hitchin’s score was the same as ours, and that only built the tension and increased the Sudbury Faithful’s nerves. In the second half, Leamington came out strong, and took the lead after a ball into the box was headed into the back of the net brilliantly. With not long to go, Leamington doubled their lead. After a corner was whipped in, and Jack Edwards, with some part of his body, to secure a comfortable three points for ‘The Brakes’ and secure a home tie against Redditch in the play-off semi-final. That second goal didn’t stop the Sudbury fans from singing though, they were magnificent all game, and have truly been the 12th man today.

Full-Time: Leamington FC 2-0 AFC Sudbury

This is now going to be a post-match report!

As the final whistle blew, we had to wait for two minutes to wait to hear the score in the Hitchin Town match. First, the players heard the news sparking wild celebrations between the Players, coaches, and fans. The nervous ninety minutes endured by fans behind the goal was finally over, and we could breathe after miraculously staying in the Southern League Premier Central Division. There was a touching moment between the two sets of fans, both AFC Sudbury and Leamington, enjoying a good sing along with chants of “The Sudbury staying up” and “The Brakes are going up.” Two clubs in different parts of England, in very different situations, with one just wanting to stay up and the other wanting to go up, but that’s what the Beautiful Game is all about.

On Saturday 27th April 2024 fans, young and old, Sudbury or Leamington, made memories that will last forever, and we wish the classy club that is Leamington all the best in their playoff dreams.

Obviously, it is never nice to see a team relegated, let alone Hitchin who, were very hospitable the two times we went there this season, and had great craic when they came to the MEL. From all at AFC Sudbury, we wish you the best of luck at Step 4 next season and have no doubt that you will be able to return to step 3 at the first attempt. We hope to see you in two seasons time.

Well, what a season. A different season, but what a season, nonetheless. I’m still in shock. From inside and outside of the club, there were doubters, but this group has turned them into believers. I’m not sure why, but I always believed we would stay up. I’m not sure if that was me trying to be optimistic and enthusiastic, but I genuinely believed. We have a platform to build on now, so let’s bring the support like we have this season into next, and who knows where it will take us...

UP THE SUDS

By Isaac Mennie