AFC went to Norfolk and Aldiss Park to take on a team that they have not fared too well against in recent seasons and came away with all three points in a game that never reached any great heights.

Manager Jamie Godbold made just one change to his starting line-up, bringing in Ollie Berquez in place of Ollie Canfer, the only other change was on the bench with Kyran Clements taking over from the unavailable Robbie Martin.

The home team started the brighter and Ollie Bowles in the AFC goal was in action tipping away a cross from the right and then catching the return ball from the other side.

AFC first real chance fell to Jordan Blackwell when Luke Callander fed the ball to him but the shot was with the side of his foot and lacked any power and easily collected by keeper Wilton. Callander several minutes later had a shot again that did not cause the home keeper any problem.

The lively Logan for Dereham got on a run down the right and only a well-placed tackle by James Baker denied him the ball going off Jack Newman for a corner. Crisp, a strong Dereham front man went through and had a shot that was deflected for another corner.

AFC took the lead on thirty-eight minutes, Callander and Ben Robinson combined with the latter firing a shot at the near post that keeper Wilton spilled. The alert Liam Wales back heeled the ball into the penalty area and there was Captain Sam Clarke (pictured) to blast the ball home.

Half time; - Dereham Town 0 AFC Sudbury 1

The first chance of the second period fell to Callander, who raced forward after a defensive slip by a central home defender Howard, the AFC man however shot well over the advancing Wilton.

AFC were looking more positive in the second period and had a couple of corners, from one Clarke had a fierce shot that was somehow deflected over the bar.

Dereham, a young pacy side continued to try and get forward and won several corners that AFC defended well with Bowles either punching or catching the ball.

The first substitution of the game came on sixty-six minutes when Dereham replaced Frary with Angma and a minute later Bowles did well to save a hard long range shot from Morphew. The AFC keeper was then in action again rushing to the edge of his area and sliding to collect the ball but having to let go of it as his went to exit the penalty area. The ball was hit into the area but a couple of AFC defenders blocked the shot and the danger was cleared.

Clarke was put through and had only keeper Wilton to beat, he came out and challenged the AFC man on the edge of the box fouling him in doing so. The Dereham man was duly yellow carded while Clarke had to receive treatment. From the free kick Callander shot just over with a curling shot.

Two AFC substitutes entered the fray on seventy-seven minutes, Callander and Craig Parker going off and Ross Bailey and Canfer coming on, while for Dereham Butcher took over from Blake. Canfer went to a striking position after his midfield role in the previous game while Bailey slotted into midfield.

The Suffolk side survived a goalmouth scramble with ten minutes to go and got the ball away quickly to the other end of the pitch to earn a corner. Dereham countered and Blake had a hard shot that Bowles punched over his crossbar for a corner from which ex-AFC man Payton Swatman headed down and Borrer should have down better but squandered the chance.

With six minutes left Wayne Blackman took over from goal scorer Clarke in AFC’s last change. The home side continued to press but the visitors held firm with Bowles holding onto a long range free kick. In stoppage time Baker who had had a fine game at the heart of the AFC defence was forced to bring down Crisp and in doing so was caution for the offence.

There was one further caution, this for Dereham as Blake showed his frustration in bringing down Blackwell with AFC seeing out the game and earning three points.

The result along with others meant a top of the table place for AFC, nice that it is, it’s not being top at this stage of the season that matters it is at the end of April.

Att 192

YNOT