Probably this report should be fairly short as there was not a great deal to write about from an AFC point of view. So short it will be as AFC crashed out of the League Cup.

Manager Jamie Godbold did make changes to his previous league line-ups, with Wayne Blackman making his first start for AFC, and James Baker going back to a striking role and youngster James Axcell on the bench. Those missing from the squad were Luke Callander, Ollie Berquez and Robbie Martin.

AFC had the perfect start when after three minutes Ben Robinson (pictured) broke down the right and crossed the ball goalward, it flew over the outstretched arms of keeper Plummer at the far post and into the back of the net.

That was to be the only highlight of the ninety-minutes for AFC as they only mustered two other weak shots on target for the remainder of the tie.

Ollie Bowles made a great save from Read on five minutes spreading himself and getting the ball away via his legs. He however could not stop the same player equalising fourteen minutes later as following a defensive mistake he got into the box and blasted home.

The visitors were getting success down their right hand side and on the half hour AFC made a number of positional changes with Stefano Mallardo going to left back, Jack Newman into midfield, Ollie Canfer up front and James Baker dropping back to central defence.

However on thirty five-minutes the Essex side got their second George Clarke capitalising on a mistake and slotting home, and five minutes before the interval Mayhew was in the right place in the six yard box to score the visitors third.

Half Time: - AFC Sudbury 1 Brightlingsea Regent 3

Wayne Blackman went off and another seventeen year-old James Axcell made his debut taking over on the left hand side.

AFC huffed and puffed while Regent made Bowles in the AFC a busy man, the keeper pulling off a number of good saves.

Fifty-seven minutes saw Craig Parker take over from Sam Clarke in the centre of midfield, while the visitors also made a couple of changes. There was a moment shortly afterwards that they thought they had a penalty, this when Bowles and Gordon collided on the edge of the penalty area. The referee thought otherwise and awarded AFC a free kick.

The only yellow card of game went to Brightlingsea substitute Ayling for a foul on Liam Wales. Axcell did get in a good cross that caused a slight concern in the visitors defence before they scored two late goals.

The final two minutes of normal time saw firstly Clarke score and then Gordon get Brightlingseas’s fifth goal to complete the comprehensive victory.

So out at the first time of asking and many of the AFC supporters will have gone away more than a little disappointed with what was a very uninspiring performance by their side.

Att 136

YNOT