Penalty Settles It

AFC went into the game on the back of four successive victories and looking to keep in touch with the teams above them near the top of the Ryman North table.

They achieved their objective, but only with the slenderest of margins, gaining victory with a second half Craig Parker penalty. The win along with other results saw AFC climb to second place in the league.

Manager Jamie Godbold was again missing from the dugout, away on FA business; Andy Reynolds deputized and oversaw the victory. Joe Maybanks was named on the bench with Captain Sam Clarke back in the line-up after missing a game due to suspension.

Sudbury’s first real effort came from Luke Callander as he shot on the turn but keeper Phillips easily saved. At the other end Cray’s leading scorer Freeman put in an effort that Marcus Garnham collected with ease.

Bedford for the visitors was trying to use his long throws to good advantage, from one Stone headed on but Garnham gathered.

AFC had a good chance to take the lead midway through the half the ball reaching Craig Parker at the far post but somehow he was unable to convert.

Both sides were trying to break but they were counteracting each other on most occasions.

The added on time at the end the half was signalled for the first time with the club’s new electronic subs board and showed one minute.

Half time AFC Sudbury 0 Phoenix Sports 0

Freeman forced Garnham in the AFC goal to get down to tip away a cross-field shot from the right hand side to concede a corner. At the other end Callander and Parker (pictured) put some pressure on but the ball was quickly cleared to the AFC penalty area where Garnham had to save from Stone.

There was some concern when Garnham went down injured, but after treatment was able to continue. Sam Clarke and Bedford clashed and the AFC skipper was booked.

AFC produced some neat passing football but all they gained was a left wing corner that the failed to produce an end product. AFC had a good chance from a Jack Wilkinson free kick, the ball headed on in the six-yard box and falling to the feet of Ollie Berquez but he was unable to stab the ball home and it was cleared.

Braintree loanee Maybanks replaced George Clarke. Jordan Blackwell who had been lively all afternoon put in a cross that found Ryan Henshaw, the defender crashed into the goalpost and fortunately the moveable goal did just that saving him from serious injury.

Maybanks was guilty of some slack play and lost the ball and Mascoll broke away for Phoenix and found Freeman in acres of space and with the goal at his mercy. He somehow put the ball wide of the goal much to the relief of the AFC players and supporters.

The only goal of the game came on seventy-two minutes from the penalty spot. Wilkinson venturing forward was on the goal line and was brought down by Carnegie with the referee immediately giving the penalty. Craig Parker stepped up and confidently struck the ball past Phillips.

Phoenix replied with Mascoll getting in a shot that Garnham fumble, but recovered in time to avoid a catastrophe. Blackwell went off and Liam Wales took over for AFC.

The visitors left it until the very last minute to make a triple substitution, but it was AFC who had the best chance to score after that. Wales powered away on the right got in a great shooting position, but he skewed his shot woefully wide of the mark.

Sam Clarke was substituted in stoppage time with Kyran Clements coming on making a return to first team action for the first time since breaking his jaw. There was still time for Parker to pick up a yellow card before the final whistle went and the three points safely gathered.

Not the greatest of games but the result and the three points in the bag.

Att 237

YNOT