Through To Next Round

Having defeated Ware in the previous round AFC were looking to add Ryman Premier League side Hendon to their portfolio in this round. They did and now await their Second Qualifying Round opponents as they came out winning by a two goal margin.

AFC Manager Jamie Godbold was back at the helm, returning after some sun on his back. His team selection shown only one change to that chosen by his assistant Andy Reynolds in the previous game, Robbie Martin in at left back and Jack Newman on the bench.

Once again AFC took an early lead in a game. This time it was only three minutes before Luke Callander was on the score sheet. The burly striker collected the ball on the half-way line and headed straight down the middle of the pitch towards the Hendon goal. Shrugging off two defenders as the referee played a great advantage, he rounded another Hendon man before firing home giving keeper Minter no chance.

On twelve minutes Minter was in action again tipping over from Callander after a great move involving Jordan Blackwell and Craig Parker, from the corner Callander headed wide at the far post.

On fifteen minutes the scores were level. Baker and Smith went for the ball in the AFC box, the Hendon man got in front of the home central defender and their legs tangled with the visiting forward going down. A penalty was given seeming by the assistant referee and Morgan stepped up and scored from the spot.

The visitors, with three strong forwards all capable of holding up the ball, looked dangerous when they surged forward. One attack from them saw Dacosta fire over the bar.

Liam Wales looking industrious on the right picked up a caution after getting involved in front of the opposition dug. The resultant free-kick went into the arms of AFC keeper Ollie Bowles and he then saved a shot from Morgan before Smith should have done better with a header that went off Ryan Henshaw for a corner.

Henshaw was then involved with Dacosta and the Hendon man picked up a caution for it just after the half-hour mark. The AFC central defender then was in a good position to put in a tackle against the same player getting the ball back to Bowles.

Wharton for the visitors was yellow carded for a foul on Callander before Blackwell suffered the same consequence but for allegedly diving.

Six minutes before the interval AFC increased their lead. Great work on the right hand side by full back Ben Robinson bursting into the penalty area before releasing the ball to Craig Parker who calmly slotted home.

Half-Time; - AFC Sudbury 2 Hendon 1

The opposition made a substitution at the start of the half with Frempah going off and new signing Tajbakhsh taking over. His stay would not last long.

Smith for Hendon got away and only a great save with his legs by Bowles prevented them pulling a goal back. Sam Clarke set Blackwell away for AFC, but his shot was saved low down by Minter.

The AFC skipper was then involved in a tackle with Tajbakhsh and the Hendon sub was awarded a free kick, for some reason he chose to strike out with his arm catching Clarke around the head. The AFC man went down and there seemed no reason why the man in the middle who appeared to have a clear view of the incident did not immediately produce a red card. The official consulted with his assistant and then came back and dismissed the protagonist much to his dismay. He could have no real complaint.

Bowles was the forced to make a save from a shot from Hendon full back Tingey before the Sudbury side went two goals ahead again. Callander burst through the middle and there was Parker to shoot home his sixth goal in three games.

The ten men were still a threat as they held the ball well and attacked as though they still had eleven on then pitch.

Wales produced a nice bit of control in the Hendon box as collected the ball and then turned but fired over. The AFC man was then spoken to as he appeared to kick the ball away after the whistle had gone and having already having been booked was fortunate to get away with it as the Hendon players seemed intent on getting off the pitch with their gesturing. A few minutes later Wayne Blackman took over from Wales.

Smith went down in the AFC penalty area looking for a spot kick but nothing was given, this seemed to upset Bettache who ran some twenty yards to remonstrate with the referee. He was promptly booked for his trouble.

Hendon used their two other substitutions before on seventy minutes Morgan gat away and Bowles again was in action to save from the Hendon forward and a few minutes later Bettache caused the Sudbury keeper to pull off another save.

Blackwell got away and Minter in the Hendon goal came out well to save at the Sudbury mans’ feet. Ollie Canfer came on for AFC with two-goal man Parker leaving to a great round of applause from the majority of the crowd. Callander had a shot and Clarke a header before the former was replaced by James Axcell.

Short for Hendon shot over with Baker in close attendance and the Clarke and Axcell combined but the shot went off the feet of keeper Minter. O’Leary was though for Hendon and Bowles deflected the ball wide and then pulled off two saves, although the visiting forward turned out to be offside.

There were three minutes of stoppage time played before AFC went through to the next round with the opponents leaving the competition at this stage for the first time in thirty years.

The game sponsors Gt Waldingfield Garages nominated AFC goalkeeper Ollie Bowles (pictured) as their Man Of the Match.

This was a good victory with the hope of another home draw to come in the next round.

Att 211

YNOT