But before we get into the action, let's set the scene a little. We were welcomed onto Canvey Island with grey skies and a hint of rain. The home club turned on the sprinklers while the players were warming up to give the pitch a chance to soften up a bit; Concord Rangers have their own rain-water collection and recycling system to do this … they weren't flouting any hosepipe bans!

Once the action got underway it was clear that the home side were the dominant force and with only five minutes on the clock Khritopher Oti gave them the lead. Eight minutes later the lead was doubled through Toheeb Elegushi. AFC Sudbury were finding it difficult to maintain possession and when we did our attacks more often than not fizzled out or were easily dealt with by the Beach Boys's defence. And on 33 minutes another cross from their right flashed across our goal and was turned in by a Suds defender (the unfortunate Ollie Reynolds, I think – who had an otherwise excellent game) as he covered the attacker ready to pounce at the far post.

3-0 at the break and it wasn't against the run of play and didn't flatter the home side.

Five minutes into the second half Phil Weavers made three changes – Sloots, Tower-King and Oxborrow replacing Manly, Dettmar and Keys – and the impact was almost immediate; the balance of play swung 180 degrees and The Suds started to test the home defence properly. After a series of long throws and corners, Kyran Clements turned in a Tom Maycock corner at the near right-hand post to make it 3-1 as chants of “Yellows! Yellows” rang out. Our first league goal of the season!

Concord Rangers still threatened occasionally, Finley Iron having to make a decent save or two, but they were not the dominant force in the game anymore. On 78 mins Scott Sloots, a thorn in the home defences side since coming on, was fouled in the box and the ref pointed to the spot. Reuben Chinnery stepped-up to calmly put the ball past the 'keeper and open his account with The Suds. 3-2 and game most definitely on!

The final 10-15 minutes saw The Suds push for an equaliser which, if it had arrived, would have been just reward for a good second half performance. But it didn't and Concord Rangers claimed all three points. The away support went home happy-ish having seen signs that this new squad can play some good football and score goals.

As Isaac would say… onto Mulbarton.

#UpTheSuds

Suds Line-up:
Iron; Keys (Oxborrow 52); Reynolds; Clements CPT; Chenery; Barnett; Dettmar (Tower-King 52); Manly (Sloots 53); Anderson (Jolland 77); Chinnery; Maycock.
Subs: Oxborrow; Tower-King; Sloots; Jolland.

Suds Goals:
Kyran Clements (58')
Reuben Chinnery (79' pen)

Photo: Ash Webb – Click here for more images from the game >