Heavy Defeat

AFC Sudbury crashed to their first away league defeat of the season when form side Thurrock turned on the style to keep their 100 per cent home league record intact with a comfortable victory and leapfrog their opponents in the league table in the process.

AFC Sudbury boss Jamie Godbold was forced to make one change from the side that started the previous game with midfielder Ollie Berquez replacing Sam Clarke who was not fully fit but was named amongst the substitutes. In Clarke’s absence James Baker took over the captain’s arm band.

Thurrock were quickly out of the blocks and they twice went close before taking an 11th minute lead with a contender for Ship Lane’s goal of the season when Michael Toner ran from his own half to beat Ollie Bowles in the Sudbury goal with a rocket of a shot from almost 40 yards.

That goal shook Sudbury and a minute later Thurrock doubled their lead when Charlie Stimson wrong footed his marker before firing into the corner of the net.

It was almost three a minute later when former AFC player Dave Cowley chipped just over when it seemed easier to score.
It had not been a good start for Sudbury but from then on they defended stoutly limiting Thurrock’s goal chances but mid-way through the half Bowles did well to tip a Cowley effort over the bar to leave the hosts with a two goal lead at the break.

Half time: Thurrock 2 AFC Sudbury 0

Little had been seen of Sudbury as an attacking force but three minutes into the second half they reduced the deficit when defender Ben Robinson started and finished a sweeping move with a well worked goal.

Hopes of a Sudbury come back were almost finished a minute later when Thurrock restored their two goal advantage when a quick counter attack ended with a fine shot from Lewwis Spence for goal number three.

Just after the hour mark minutes Thurrock went 4-1 ahead when Jordan Clarke scored from the penalty spot after Robinson fouled Ross Wall as he broke into the box. The home crowd were baying for Robinson to be red carded for denying a goal scoring opportunity but he was only shown a yellow as Wall, according to the referee, was not fully in control of the ball.

Thurrock added a fifth goal to seal a comfortable victory after 79 minutes when Joe Christou finished a sweeping move with a fine strike from the edge of the area.

That was the end of the scoring but Thurrock were reduced to ten men in the final minute when Christou received a straight red card after clashing with Sudbury’s Sam Bantick who saw yellow.

There was still time for AFC acting skipper James Baker to be yellow carded for a strong challenge. It was his fifth of the season which means a one match ban in two weeks.

Att 137

PAT ARBON