Well Beaten

AFC were looking to put the previous weeks abandonment behind them and try and get three points from a side below them in the table but with games in hand. In the end it was not to be as the Surrey side went home after a comfortable victory.

Manager Jamie Godbold had to make a change to his side with Aidan Austin ill he drafted Rob Eagle into the left back position and went with two up front in James Baker and Danny Crow.

On the bench was goalkeeper Callum Robinson returned from his loan at Wroxham and young Joe Wright.

Early on Craig Parker was in the action with two shots one following a corner, but to no effect. Abnett for the visitors was involved in the next action as he firstly went down appealing for a penalty that was turned down and then bring out the first of many outstanding saves from Marcus Garnham in the Sudbury goal. This one he punched away with an outstretched hand.

Dylan Williams showed up well, taking the ball forward on the left hand side but unfortunately could not produce an end product. The AFC keeper was called upon again as Kavanagh was allowed space in midfield and shot but the Sudbury man finger tipped the ball away. He had to save his side again when Bennett cut in and saw Garnham tip the ball away again.

AFC were not really causing the visitors any real problems with Danny Crow and James Baker up front unable to penetrate. Merstham had another chance after Ryan Henshaw cavorting forward lost the ball and Cojocarel force Garnham to save low down.

For Sudbury Baker did have a shot after a Williams pass and atbthe other end Sam Clarke got in a great saving tackle as he tracked back.

The best chance the home side had was when Williams fed Clarke and the AFC skipper beat a defender got to the goal line crossed and fired across the face of the goal and at the far post Crow was just unable to get a touch.

Half Time; - AFC Sudbury 0 Merstham 0

The second half was not even a minute old and Merstham were in front. Adam Tann intercepted the ball it going onto the post, from there McDonald
was sharp and fired home.

Sam Bantick had a chance from a free kick but it went well over the bar and shortly afterwards Wayne Blackman replaced him. Garnham was again the saviour saving well after standing up to repel a Hector shot.

Merstham’s keeper Smith was booked for blatant time wasting and then Cooper was yellow carded for pulling Clarke back. AFC’s Eagle was cautioned for dissent as he threw the ball down in distain after he felt he was fouled but the decision went the other way.

Liam Wales took over from Crow but it was the visitors who scored again soon afterwards. A free kick on their right went to the far post and there was defender Okoye to prod the ball home.

Young Joe Wright came on for his home debut with Baker going off but again it was the visitors who got the next goal. Bennett was allowed space on the edge of the penalty area and he shot and the ball flew into the back of the net giving Garnham no chance.

Blackman did have a shot for AFC it deflected off Wales and Smith had to go down low to push it away for a corner. Williams went over and had to received treatment on a damaged ankle. He hobbled back on but could not continue and left the ten men of Sudbury to play on.

In the first minute of stoppage time Bennett helped himself to his second and his side’s fourth to seal a deserved victory.

Not a great game for the AFC supporters to watch and they will be hoping that with a free midweek the management are able to instill some much needed belief in their players.

Att 229

YNOT