AFC Sudbury made it four consecutive league wins, including three away from home, when they came from behind to inflict a first home league defeat of the season on the Essex side at a very windy Harlow Arena.

This game was billed as the battle of the 3G pitches as it was the first meeting between the only two sides in the division since both had artificial playing surfaces installed on their home grounds.

It was a superb team performance by Jamie Godbold’s side who did well to share the spoils with a goal apiece in a first half dominated by the hosts who failed to make the most of a strong wind at their backs forcing ten corners to Sudbury’s one. The second half was a more even affair with the better chances falling to Sudbury who clinched victory with the only goal of the half three minutes from time.

With manager Godbold away on FA duties deputy Andy Reynolds was in charge and he made three changes since the last game. One was forced with skipper Sam Clarke serving a one game ban. Ollie Berquez took his place while George Clarke and Ross Bailey started at the expense of Jordan Blackwell and Jack Newman who were named amongst the substitutes.

Sudbury kicked off with a strong wind in their faces and within seconds George Clarke was fouled 25 yards from goal and Joe Maybanks free kick forced home keeper David Hughes into a flying save.

From then on Harlow piled on the pressure helped by the strong wind at their backs. Home wide players Junior Dadson and Joe Benjamin sent in numerous dangerous crosses but the Sudbury defence held firm until the 16th minute when Harlow broke the deadlock after Alex Read’s shot from distance rebounded off the cross bar with keeper Marcus Garnham beaten. But the ball fell kindly to Benjamin who tapped home into the empty net to give the hosts the lead.

Harlow continued to have the upper hand. But some indifferent home finishing, fine Sudbury defending with acting skipper James Baker and Ryan Henshaw dominant, and confident keeping by Garnham, prevented the lead being extended.

It was not all one way traffic. Sudbury looked dangerous on the break and twice Maybanks shot inches wide.

Two minutes before the half time whistle Sudbury levelled following a good build-up when the hardworking Luke Callander got in a shot that seemed to hold up in the wind before wrong-footing keeper Hughes and dropping over his head into the net to level the scores at the break.

Half time: Harlow Town 1 AFC Sudbury 1

The second half was a more even affair, with Sudbury, now with the wind behind them creating some good openings. Ross Bailey and Craig Parker failed to hit the target from good positions while at the other end Garnham saved well to deny Jared Small.

With nineteen minutes remaining Sudbury made a double substitution with Blackwell and Liam Wales replacing Maybanks and Clarke. Both newcomers made significant contributions.

Wales had a shot cleared off the line before Blackwell was heavily involved in the build-up to Sudbury’s winning goal three minutes from time, when following some good approach play, his low shot rebounded off the foot of a post and Craig Parker fired the loose ball into the net to clinch a hard-fought win for the Suffolk side.

Attendance: 245

PAT ARBON