It was one of the windiest nights in recent times that football has been played at King’s Marsh and it was a credit to both sides and the three officials that the game was completed without incident. AFC won it with the goals coming from the head of Craig Parker. (pictured)

Although the blustery conditions played a part, both teams tried to play football and did not resort to blasting the ball when the gale was behind them.

This was AFC Manager Jamie Godbold’s fiftieth game in change and he was looking to add to the twenty-nine victories that his side he had won so far. In the end he was able to make his winning total thirty.

He gave a debut to new loan signing Joe Maybanks and he would go onto have a good first outing, while Jack Newman came into the middle of the park.

The visitors playing against the wind had the first chance with Fairweather-Johnson through on the right side and shooting at the AFC goal with Marcus Garnham saving at the expense of a corner.

Maybanks on the left side of the AFC midfield sprayed a great ball out to the right where Jordan Blackwell collected it and went forward only to be scythed down by Porter who was duly booked.

Newcomer Maybanks was showing up well and had a couple of shots over the visitors’ bar in the first fifteen minutes. Craig Parker firstly fired over and then had a scuffed shot cleared off the goal line.

For Thamesmead Thompson was in a great position in front of the AFC goal but slipped at the vital moment. Luke Callander and Maybanks both had shots at the opponent’s goal but nothing was forthcoming.

The pressure was building as AFC pressed Blackwell had a shot saved by Walker, then the AFC man crossed the ball for Craig Parker to head home from close range to take the lead.

Just before the break Thompson did well only for dark to shoot over.

Half Time: AFC Sudbury 1 Thamesmead Town 0

The wind continued to blow in blustery bursts at the start of the second period, as AFC went against it.

Callander went down clutching his foot in some agony and with the ball on the halfway line and in a non-advantageous position, the referee blew up so the AFC man could get treatment. This led to the opposition surrounding the official claiming he should not have halted play. It was a ridiculous claim as there was no great advantage to them having the ball where it was and they got it back anyway when the ball was dropped.

James Baker then presented Thamesmead a great chance as he carelessly put in a back pass that Fairweather-Johnson latched onto, fortunately Garnham was alive the situation and raced out to save. The Sudbury central defender was then guilty of a mistake that led to Garnham making a fine fingertip save from Thompson. Stefano Mallardo then cleared up another error in the middle of the AFC defence, getting in a great tackle.

Ben Robinson stormed forward and into the penalty area where he was blocked and he remained down with a knock to his right leg that needed treatment.

Ryan Henshaw went down clutching his head and eventually Thompson was booked probably for something he said as the game was stopped. There were then several changes for the visitors while Callander went off for AFC with George Clarke replacing him.

The wind at the back of AFC keeper Garnham was stopping keeping the ball still to take his goal kicks, but he soon sorted the problem out and gave the official no chance of stopping the game.

With ten minutes of normal time left Garnham did well to claw away a Jefferys header to keep AFC in front and a minute later they increased their lead. Maybanks was fouled on the left and had to go off, Newman floated the free-kick to the far post where Henshaw headed it back into the centre of the six yard box where Craig Parker was and he headed the ball into the back of the net..

Liam Wales took over from Maybanks with six minutes to go, although he played twelve as thee were six added minutes allowed for the conditions.

AFC saw the game out and gained three points to lift them up to third place in the table on a night that was to say the least blowy!!

Att 145

YNOT