AFC went into this game looking to get their Ryman Premier League campaign back on track after a couple of hard to take defeats. They did so and with the victory they climbed up the table.

Manager Jamie Godbold was able to recall both defender Adam Tann and midfield man Craig Parker, while striker Luke Callander was on the bench looking to play some part in the game. Liam Wales was also amongst the substitutes and this gave a chance for James Baker to return to his previously accustomed position leading the attack.

There was a minute’s silence before the kick off for long time supporter Bill Burroughs who passed away recently.

It was Staines who started the brighter with Bettamer back-heeling an effort that Marcus Garnham did well to save low down, Worsfold then broke down the left getting the ball to Clifton and again Garnham had to make a save.

AFC replied with Dylan Williams earning a corner from which Rob Eagle fired over the visitors’ bar. Adams got through the AFC defence and Garnham was alive to the situation came out and saved well.

AFC broke the deadlock on nineteen minutes. From a right wing corner taken by Sam Bantick the ball came in low and was miskicked by McKain and James Baker took advantage and slotted the ball home.

Staines replied with an attack that was repelled by Tann and Garnham. It was AFC who scored the all-important second goal just after the half-hour mark. Out on the left Jack Wilkinson delivered a great cross and the incoming Sam Bantick (pictured) headed home.

McKain for Staines became the first of seven bookings as he blocked Bantick. There was a mad scramble in the visitor’s penalty area and an appeal for a penalty after Eagle went down but it was waved away.

Eight minutes from half-time Garnham punched away a good first time cross from Wiltshire and then the Sudbury stopper had to be alert to take hold of Adams deflected effort.

Dylan Williams, having a fine game playing behind Baker was tripped and nothing was given, a decision he did not agree with and apparently said something and was yellow carded for his trouble. This seemed to spur him on as a minute later he scored a superb goal. The on loan youngster from Cambridge United got the ball on the left hand side of the Staines penalty area and went around three defender and slotted the ball home passed Turner in the visitors’ goal.

Half-Time; - AFC Sudbury 3 Staines Town 0

The visitors although three goals down, did not capitulate and came out fighting, having made a substitution Cole replacing McKain.

Baker for AFC shot into the side netting before Sam Clarke picked up a booking, his fifth of the season, meaning he will miss the FA Trophy tie against Romford.
Sam Bantick soon joined him in the referee’s notebook.

Staines pulled a goal back just before the hour-mark a cross from the left was blocked by Ryan Henshaw and it fell to Adams who shot home.

The visitors looked threatening and Garnham had to make a one-handed save from Clifton to keep them still two goals behind. Coker saw yellow for a block before Adams forced Garnham to fingertip over a fierce shot.

Ahmidi went off and Haysman took over for Staines before AFC made a change with Jordan Blackwell replacing Bantick. He was soon combining well with Parker.

Brewer went off and Hippolyte came on as Staines searched for a goal. The tiring Williams went off to a well deserved round of applause and Liam Wales took over. The AFC substitute was soon in action and Blackwell and Parker did well getting to him and having his shot saved by Turner.

Bettamer got away on the left but Adam Tann used all his experience to get in a great tackle to deny him any further progress. Blackwell meanwhile had gone over on his ankle and was unable to continue, Callander came on for the final few minutes.

Gough for Staines talked his way into receiving a caution as time ran out and AFC gratefully and deservedly took all three points.

Att 261

YNOT