Top of the table AFC went to Bridge Avenue to take on chasing AFC Hornchurch and continued their fine away Ryman North form by making it twelve away games unbeaten in a 1-1 draw. It was only Sudbury’s fifth draw of the season, and the AFC goal scorer was Craig Parker with his twenty-sixth goal of the season. With it AFC maintained a ten point lead at the head of the table.

AFC Manager Jamie Godbold had some selection problems before the game, with central defender Ryan Henshaw still suffering from the damaged nose he received in the previous game, he was only named on the bench. Had he of played he would have worn a specially designed facemask to protect the injury.
Liam Wales was ill and therefore unavailable, while George Clarke was injured. Into the side came Stefano Mallardo came into central defence, Jordan Blackwell returned while Wayne Blackman and Godbold himself were named on the bench.

The pitch was playable after the recent bad weather but was bumpy at times that did not allow for much passing football.

Joe Maybanks had AFC’s first effort before Purcell for the hosts fired well over, before having another shot that went wide.

Marcus Garnham in the AFC goal came to the rescue with twelve minutes on the clock after a defensive mix up let in Purcell. AFC replied with Blackwell firing wide from a Craig parker pass. Luke Callander was then in the action having a shot deflected over and then shooting just wide.

Captain Sam Clarke then saw a looping effort go over from a pass from Callander. The Sudbury striker then saw a shot save by keeper Mott after Maybanks had fed him the ball.

Garnham made another save at his near post after St Aimie broke free of his defenders, and then James Baker blocked a goalbound effort from May.

Maybanks was on a run down the left when he was blocked off by Collis who was rightly booked for his effort. In stoppage time Callander had a long-range free kick saved low down by Mott as the half ended goalless.

Half-Time;- AFC Hornchurch 0 AFC Sudbury 0

The unwell Maybanks did not re-appear after the interval with Blackman taking his place, this being his first piece of first team action since October.

AFC should have taken the lead four minutes into the half, Blackwell’s cross find the unmarked Parker who somehow headed wide.

The Essex side broke away and Baker and Purcell tangled on the edge of the AFC penalty area and tempers flared. Both received yellow cards for their troubles. Purcell then had a shot well saved by Garnham who was becoming the busier keeper.

Craig Parker AFC’s leading scorer made up for his earlier miss a few minutes later when following a long throw from Jack Wilkinson he was there to guide the ball home.

The goal seemed to galvanise the home side and they attacked and Garnham had to save from substitute Knight and then Clarke got AFC’s second yellow card of the game. Both Clarke and Baker had thus picked up their tenth caution of the season and will now serve two match bans.

From the free kick Eyong headed against the Sudbury post, it was a let off but the home side soon levelled. Collis on the right crossed and there was Knight to head into the AFC net.

Parker then was close for the visitors before Garnham was in the thick of it saving a shot from Bentley after he had broken away.

Callander who had taken a knock to the ribs, which had certainly lessened his effectiveness, went off to be replaced by Jack Newman.

Garnham then became the hero of the hour when somehow he denied Knight. The Hornchurch man had broke away and had only the Sudbury stopper to beat, somehow Garnham managed to delay him by advancing quickly and other defenders got back before the keeper smothered the ball to deny him.

A minute later Garnham was again called into the fray when substitute Luke was in on goal, but again the AFC man came out on top. In the final minutes Ross Bailey took over from Ollie Berquez as Sudbury came away with a well deserved point in a hard fought game.

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