Three Points In Scrappy Affair

AFC were under the temporary charge of Assistant Manager Andy Reynolds with Manager Jamie Godbold having a well-deserved vacation, especially after winning the Ryman North August Manager of the Month Award.

Reynolds made just one change to the starting line-up with James Axcell replacing Jordan Blackwell, Ollie Canfer returned to take a place on the bench.

The game was barely ninety seconds old and AFC were in the lead. A move down the right saw Liam Wales get the ball to Luke Callander (pictured) who scooped the ball hard into the back of the Wakering net.

The home sides’ Hepburn used his long throws to good advantage and from one Sands shot wide. They also pumped in a number of free kicks that the AFC defence coped well with. From another long ball Cleaver headed down and Radley fired wide.

Sam Clarke once a Wakering player was booked for a tackle on the halfway line before the home side equalised. It came from another long Hepburn throw this time into the penalty area where Radley headed on and Nash put the ball into the AFC net.

Robbie Martin then picked up his fourth booking in four games; it seemed extremely harsh on the former Harlow man.

Ollie Bowles in the AFC goal was forced into great fingertip save following a Wakering short corner tipping a Ranger header away to deny a certain goal. Bowles was again in the action punching away another attack from the side looking more likely to get in front. Kent then had a long range shot that Nash got his foot to but the ball went over the bar.

Axcell and Callander combined well with the former earning AFC a corner from which the ball came back out eventually to Ryan Henshaw who had a long range shot.

Just before the interval from a scramble in the home goal they broke away and from a Jacobs’ cross Nash headed over.

Half-Time; - Gt Wakering Rovers 1 AFC Sudbury 1

Bowles punched over early on before Seal in the home goal was fortunate as he missed the ball first time fell over and then caught it with Craig Parker in close attendance.

Parker then went close as he got on the end of a right wing cross from Ben Robinson and headed the ball down at the far post but Seal got down save.
Wales then had a shot that went high and wide.

Hepburn continued his long throws and again the defence and Bowles were equal to them before on fifty-eight minutes AFC went back into the lead scoring what was to be the winner. Liam Wales on the right shimmered and then crossed to the far post where Parker rose to head home.

A few minutes later a quick free kick from Henshaw and Robinson found Wales but he sliced his shot that Seal tipped over the crossbar.

Canfer came on for Axcell who had little opportunity to shine before five minutes later Callander took a pass from Clarke turned and shot over.

The home side made changes and Blackwell for AFC replaced Ross Bailey, the substitute soon having an effort that went into keeper Seal’s arms. Jack Newman took over from Clarke as time ran out, but there was still time for Wakering’s Vaughan to be cautioned for a foul on Wales.

Three minutes of stoppage time were played before the final whistle went and three more points that sent AFC back to the top of the table.

Att 145

YNOT