Good Nights Work

AFC were out to maintain their eight match unbeaten run of away games as they also looked to avenge and early season home defeat by Maldon and Tiptree. They did do on both counts scoring a goal in each half to remain ten points clear at the top of the table.

Manager Jamie Godbold selected the same side for the third game in succession, meaning former Maldon man Ollie Berquez had to take a seat on the bench.

There was a strong cold win blowing across the Wallace Binder ground as AFC kicked off supported by the vast majority of the 165 spectators.

The home side, managed by former Sudbury Town man Steve Ball, started brightly with two former AFC players in their ranks, Rhys Henry and Darren Mills. Their forward line also contained the experience Newson and Francis.

Stefano Mallardo made an early slip that let in Newson but Ben Robinson blocked the forward’s effort. AFC first chance came when Craig Parker just failed to get a touch on a Jordan Blackwell cross.

Jack Wilkinson was being used to deliver long throws into the Maldon box at every opportunity and from one Ryan Henshaw headed just over.

Mallardo was booked on the half-hour mark in a tackle that looked fifty-fifty. Robinson getting forward down the right wing got in zipping cross that keeper Bransgrove tipped away.

Parker was again unlucky not to give Sudbury the lead nine minutes before half-time when he just failed to put away a close range effort following a Wilkinson cross headed on by James Baker.

Francis for Maldon had a chance cutting in from the left but Marcus Garnham in the AFC goal got down well to deny him.

The breakthrough came in stoppage time when AFC were awarded a free kick in a central area some twenty-five yards out. Parker stepped over the ball Jack Wilkinson (pictured) blasted the ball through the wall and into the back of the Maldon goal.

AFC went in leading but the home side had probably had more of the ball and had looked promising.

Half-Time; - Maldon and Tiptree 0 AFC Sudbury 1

AFC made a change at the start of the half, Berquez replacing Jack Newman and the experienced midfield man did well in the second forty-five minutes.

Mills went off and McQueen took over him from him for Maldon and the home side’s Stephens was cautioned for a rash tackle on George Clarke.

Play was more in the Maldon half with Berquez providing some neat passes before AFC’s second change came with Captain Sam Clarke giving way to Joe Maybanks.

Francis on loan from Leiston was substituted for Nwachuku before AFC got their second and decisive goal. Roast gave the ball away to Baker and then tried to retrieve the situation fouling the Sudbury front man in the process. The ball had run free to George Clarke, the referee played a great advantage and the youngster ran forward and slipped the ball under the advancing Bransgrove to score his third goal of his AFC career. Roast was booked for the initial challenge.

Both side made further substitutions with Henry going off for the home side and Mills taking over while Liam Wales took the place of Blackwell.

George Clarke had a great chance to really settle the game when he got away and sent a great shot fizzing just over the crossbar. Maybanks appeared to be fouled but the free kick went Maldon’s‘ way, the Sudbury player kicked the ball a short distance away and was yellow carded for his troubles.

In stoppage time Garnham was forced into his first real save of the game when Allarakhia fired in a shot from the right hand side and the AFC keeper tipped it away to keep a clean sheet.

A good all round team effort and three very valuable points to keep the club on track in their promotion quest.

Att 165

YNOT