Craig Parker’s early goal was enough for AFC Sudbury to defeat their Ryman Premier Division opponents in an entertaining game to progress to the next round of the competition. Parker’s goal completed a unique Sudbury double as they beat Hendon 3-1 in the FA Cup earlier in the season.

This was a deserved win by Jamie Godbold’s side who put on a fine defensive display in which keeper Marcus Garnham, who was named skipper in the absence of Sam Clarke, put on yet another outstanding performance to keep his first clean sheet since returning to the club.

Boss Jamie Godbold was forced to make two changes from the side that started in the midweek win against Dereham Town. Skipper Clarke was not fit enough to start although he was named amongst the substitutes as was central defender James Baker although there was little likelihood of him being used because of his back injury.

This game was played on a Sunday as Hendon play on Harrow Borough’s ground who played on Saturday.

There was a good contingent of Sudbury fans amongst the crowd of 182 and they saw their side make a dream start by opening the scoring after just four minutes following good work by Jordan Blackwell. His right wing run saw him go past two defenders as he broke into the box. It looked as if he had lost possession but Craig Parker (pictured) latched on to the loose ball and fired a low shot into the net for what proved to be the only goal of the game.

Three minutes later Hendon had their first serious effort on goal when the dangerous Aaron Morgan tested Ganham with a low shot to his left. Garnham went full length to turn it round the post for a corner. He was injured in the process and received lengthy treatment for a hip injury before being able to continue. The Sudbury fans wondered if assistant manager Andy Reynolds, a former top keeper, who named amongst the substitutes, would have to come on. But Garnham continued and pulled off several top class saves.

Sudbury looked dangerous on the counter attack and Blackwell brought a fine save from the home keeper and striker Luke Callander, who was fighting a lone battle up front, was a constant threat to the home defence.

Hendon finished the half strongly with a series of corners, one from a fine defensive tackle by Stefano Mallardo who robbed Oliver Sprague who had broken into the box and looked certain to score. From the resultant flag kick Garnham made an excellent close range save.

Half time: Hendon 0 AFC Sudbury 1

Early in the second half Garnham was forced into the first of two tip-over saves to deny Morgan as the home side piled on the pressure. Sudbury continued to look dangerous on the counter attack and from a left wing move Liam Wales crossed for Parker to head inches wide.

The longer the game went on the more frustrated Hendon got in front of goal under some fine Sudbury defending and Sudbury ran the clock down with some good possession and a couple of corners to run out deserved winners to earn a place in the next round on Saturday 14 November, when they been draw away to yet another Ryman Premier, playing the winners of the Hampton & Richmond Borough v Lewes replay.

Att 182

PAT ARBON