Out Of FA Cup

AFC went to Kent in this FA Cup tie to take on a side one higher in the non-league pyramid, but with a squad more than capable of playing at a much higher level.

AFC were still in the game up to the fifty-fourth minute when the first goal went in and a couple of late goals made the scoreline somewhat flattering.

AFC Manager had to make a change to his starting line-up from the previous game with Sam Bantick who scored twice, missing, Ryan Auger took his place. Leading scorer Luke Callander was fit enough to take a place on the substitutes bench, but Craig Parker was an absentee.

The home side started very brightly and it was soon evident that they possessed players with pace, in Deering and McQueen. AFC Captain Sam Clarke committed a foul on Deering on the edge of the penalty area and was booked for his trouble. From the free kick Powell shot into the AFC defensive wall.

Marcus Garnham in the AFC goal did well to deny McQueen after he broke away as the visitors were under pressure. AFC’s first real effort came from Aaron Green playing in a front running role, his shot going wide. Garnham again saved this time from Deering.
Liam Wales up front was fouled on the edge of the area and Greenidge was booked for it. The free kick came to nothing. Ebbsfleet replied with Shields running hard down the left getting the ball to Deering and bringing another save from Garnham.

The very experienced Danny Kedwell for the hosts did well on the right getting the ball inside to Deering and Garnham pushed his shot around the post. From the corner Kedwell headed over at the near post.

The AFC goalkeeper made another two saves before just before the interval and prior to AFC having their best chances of the half. Auger sent in a low shot that went for a corner and from it James Baker had a header cleared off the line by Shields, the rebound being put back in by Ryan Henshaw and it being blocked.

Half-Time; - Ebbsfleet United 0 AFC Sudbury 0

The second period belonged to the Kent side, but it was nearly ten minutes into it before they started the scoring and two late goals made the result look bad.

AFC did have an early chance with Clarke and Eagle involved before Clarke crossing and Clark nearly scoring an own goal.
McQueen who had previously played against AFC for both Ipswich Reserves and Maldon and Tiptree, raced away and had only Garnham to beat but the Sudbury man stood his ground to deny him. A few minutes later McQueen did score the opener. A high ball across the AFC penalty area eluded Garnham and Kedwell got the ball to McQueen and he fired home.

At the other end AFC won a corner and from it Henshaw headed wide. Garnham again had to make a save this time from Deering and shortly after he denied Shields by tipping the ball away for a corner.

Ebbsfleet got a second goal ten minutes after the first. Henshaw dithered when a long ball was sent in, McQueen nipped in to get the ball and shoot home.

Jack Newman took over from Anthony Furlonge who appeared to have a damaged foot; he was soon joined by Luke Callander taking the place of Ryan Auger.

The home side were on the front foot and Garnham was making a great save from substitute Lewis. Newman for AFC had a shot saved by Miles before Shields broke and beat Henshaw and Garnham saved low down.

With ten minutes to go United scored a third goal, a sweeping move ending with Powell scoring. At the other end Liam Wales crashed into Miles as the ball ran to the Ebbsfleet goalkeeper, the referee deeming it late and booking the Sudbury forward.

Four minutes from time goal number four arrived with Lewis shooting home on the right hand side of the goal. The fifth goal came as a result of Henshaw being dispossessed, unfairly in his opinion but not that of the man in the middle, and there was Lewis to get his second of the tie.

There was still time for Henshaw, feeling aggrieved from earlier losing the ball, making a strong tackle and being booked.

The final whistle went and the end of the FA Cup for AFC in 2016/17, the scoreline somewhat flattering but against a side that will surely be back in the National League at the end of the season.

Att 855

YNOT