Another Away Win To Keep AFC Top

Jamie Godbold’s table toppers extended their unbeaten league run to twelve games including eleven wins with a convincing victory at lowly Redbridge helped by a Craig Parker (pictured) hat-trick, two from the penalty spot to take his season’s total to 23. And with other results going in Sudbury’s favour their lead at the top is now seven points.

Godbold made changes with both James Baker and Luke Callander returning to the starting eleven having been unavailable in the previous game. Defender Ben Robinson was due to start but just before kick off he was taken ill and was replaced by Stefano Mallardo. It was the first game the Haverhill based defender Robinson has missed since he joined the club 90 games ago.

The Sudbury victory would have been greater but for a fine display by Sam Sargent in the Redbridge goal. But he had no chance when Sudbury opened the scoring in the second minute when Craig Parker scored from the penalty spot after George Clarke had been fouled.

Throughout the game Redbridge rarely threatened but Sudbury keeper Marcus Garnham had to be at his best to keep out an effort by Jay Knight before Sudbury doubled their lead after 20 minutes when Luke Callander netted after latching on to a fine pass from George Clarke.

The above average crowd of 93, swelled by the many travelling Sudbury supporters, saw mainly one-way traffic on the Redbridge goal and only a fine tip over save by Sargent kept out a fierce drive by George Clarke before Craig Parker made it 3-0 with his second of the game six minutes before the break when he headed home from close range after a left wing corner was knocked back into the danger area by Jordan Blackwell.

Half time: Redbridge 0 AFC Sudbury 4

Sudbury made a change at the start of the second period with central defender Ryan Henshaw, who had taken a knock, being replaced by Joe Maybanks. As result the defence was reorganised with Mallardo moving to a central position and Jack Newman into the back four.

Numerous fine saves by Sargent in a Sudbury dominated second half prevented further goals before he was beaten for a fourth time after 72 minutes when Craig Parker converted his second penalty after a foul on Sam Clarke.

With seven minutes remaining, manager Godbold, who had named himself amongst the substitutes, came on for a cameo appearance with his first team debut.

Redbridge had a great chance for a consolation goal two minutes from time when they were awarded a penalty after Reside Coxi-Sebastfao was adjudge to have been fouled as he broke into the box. But keeper Garnham, who had been a spectator for long periods, went full length to his right to save Knight’s spot kick to keep a clean sheet.

Att 93

Pat Arbon