No Joy In Cup

AFC Sudbury’s FA Cup run ended on the South Coast when the hosts, who play two levels above them in the Vanarama National League South, scored a goal in each half to progress to the next round. Sudbury put on a brave display and scored a late consolation goal to add respectability to the score.

AFC boss Jamie Godbold made two changes from the side that started the previous game with Robbie Martin and Ross Bailey starting in place of the injured Jack Newman while Jordan Blackwell dropped to the bench. Being an FA Cup game up to seven substitutes could be named. Godbold named six and these included two Academy players Tyler French and Oliver Dunlop with the latter coming on for the final few minutes for his first team debut. Assistant manager Andy Reynolds was named as sub goal keeper.

The home side started brightly and Ryan Henshaw made a timely tackle to cut out a home threat at the expense of a corner which came to nothing.Sudbury were soon in their stride and skipper Sam Clarke became the only visiting player to be yellow carded after just five minutes play for a strong challenge. It seemed a harsh decision as he seemed to get all the ball.

The visitors went on to have a good spell of play and twice Luke Callander went close with efforts that just failed to hit the target and the lively Sam Bantick brought a good save from the home keeper before Eastbourne broke the deadlock after 34 minutes with their first serious effort on target. Up to then the Sudbury defence had held firm.

But from a break down the Eastbourne right the ball was squared to Nathaniel Pinney and the home striker scored with a low shot from just outside the box that went in off a post to give his side the lead.

Two minutes later only a great save by Sudbury keeper Ollie Bowles prevented the hosts from going in at the break with a two goal advantage.

Half time: Eastbourne Borough 1 AFC Sudbury 0

Any hopes of Sudbury getting back on terms early in the second period was dashed as within a minute of the restart Eastbourne doubled their lead. The lively Pinney was again the scorer when he twisted and turned in the box to score his second from close range.

It was not all one way traffic and Sudbury enjoyed a good spell. Liam Wales twice tested the home keeper and from a left wing corner Ryan Henshaw had a header cleared off the.

AFC introduced seventeen year old Ollie Dunlop (pictured)for his debut taking the place of Ross Bailey with six minutes to go.

Eastbourne had an effort cleared off the line before Sam Bantick scored a consolation for Sudbury deep into stoppage time with a break away goal.

If Sudbury had made the most of their chances in the first half it might have been a different story but in the end Eastbourne’s Pinney proved to be the difference between the sides with his brace of goals.

Attendance: 404

PAT ARBON