AFC Win Cup Replay - Eventually

AFC won this Preliminary Round Replay but were taken nearly all the way, winning the game in extra time with only two minutes left. In truth they had enough opportunities to finish the tie earlier.

AFC manager David Batch had to make another change in defence with Ryan Henshaw out injured with a damaged hand, Lawrence Yiga came back in after missing the original tie.

The visitors were quick out of the traps and scored in the third minute. Gent got down the AFC left crossed and at the far post was Chambers to fire home.

The home side nearly went two down when Alex Archer and Lawrence Yiga were involved in a poor clearance and the AFC defender had to bring down Moses and was booked for his trouble.

AFC responded and Payton Swatman and Craig Pope had efforts cleared, before they levelled. Michael Shinn took a corner from the left and swung it in and at the far post was Kris Newby (pictured) to head home.

Swatman was the next player booked after what seemed a tackle when the ball was fairly won.

The visitors took the lead again in the thirty-sixth minute following a corner from the left Moses headed goal wards the ball going in off the body of Archer. Nougher was yellow carded nine minutes before the break.

Half Time: AFC Sudbury 1 Redbridge 2

AFC started brightly with Newby having a shot on the run but it going wide. Adelekan was the next player booked for a foul on Newby. Jake Reed combined with Newby before James Baker fired over. the same player was on hand following a corner heading into Parkers's arms before the ball was cleared away.

Stefano Mallardo, belying his tender years, was having a good game in the AFC defence and crossed and found Swatman in box but he somehow fired over. Archer at the other end did well saving point blank a shot from Gent.

Scott went off for Redbridge and Thomas came on and then former AFC man Danny Charge replaced Gent.

The AFC equaliser came from a corner on the right, the ball went into the box and then into the net with Craig Pope getting the final touch.

In the seventy-second minute sliced a shot wide as the home side were piling on the pressure. Mallardo went off and Jordan Blackwell took over, with Swatman going to right back.

Redbridge then picked up two quick bookings with Chambers and Murphy picking up yellow cards for a tackle and some dissent. Chamber the went off and Wallace came on.

After Ninety Minutes: AFC Sudbury 2 Redbridge 2

Pope did well getting in a great interception early in the first period of extra time, before Reed made way for Scott Kemp. It was the visitors who the had a chance to take the lead with Archer saving and Pope blocking twice when it seemed the ball would end up in the AFC net.

Yiga appeared to be fouled by Moses but the ball broke and Pope had to take a booking bringing down the Redbridge forward.

After First Period of Extra Time AFC Sudbury 2 Redbridge 2

AFC made a final change with Josh Kerridge taking over from Baker as the average age of the side dropped even further, but the youngsters doing well with Swatman and Guyton in particular showing up well.

Yiga shot over after good work by Blackwell and Kemp had earned a corner that Shinn took well. Redbridge replied and Wallace got in a left wing cross that eluded to on rushing forwards.

With the tie heading for penalties AFC snatched the winner in the 118th minute. Shinn wide on the right crossed and at the far post was Newby to head home.

So AFC won the tie, earning £1925 in the process and made it to the First Qualifying Round on Saturday 13th September when they will be at home to FC Romania.

Att 122

YNOT