First Round Proper Reached

FC went into this game looking to make it through to the First Round Proper for the fifth time in their history and they did so despite having a somewhat makeshift defence.

Manager Jamie Godbold found himself with the unavailable James Baker and the injured Jack Wilkinson and decided to give young full-back Alfie Carroll his full debut at right-back and to play a normally forward player and another youngster Aidan Austin at left-back.

Kings Langley who were last seasons Southern League Central Champions started the game well and were in charge for the first part of it. They attacked and Ward saw his header come back off the AFC crossbar and then Marcus Garnham had to make a save from Cox

In the centre of defence Adam Tann did well to block Duku and the tall striker went at the visitors.

AFC’s first effort came on ten minutes when Rob Eagle fired wide of the home goal. Carroll was up against a tricky wide man in Amoo but the youngster did well to contain him. He was on hand to clear a long ball into the penalty area that Kadu was chasing.

The hosts were good on the break and Hutton and Ward combined with the latter shooting over. AFC responded when a poor goal kick from Comas found Sam Bantick who went forward, shot but saw it blocked by Rodridgoe.

AFC settled down to their task and Craig Parker and Bantick were seeing more of the ball. Ryan Henshaw picked up a booking for something that was seemingly only a clumsy challenge.

The final ten minutes of the half saw AFC take command of the game and Callander and Bantick both had chances. A minute from the interval Sudbury went in front from a Rob Eagle left wing corner. The busy wide man swung the ball in close to the goal and Comas was nowhere near it but Luke Callander was and he gratefully headed home.

Half Time; - Kings Langley 0 AFC Sudbury 1

In recent weeks AFC’s have seemingly been unable to get passed the first few minutes of the second period and again it was their Achilles heel. Kings Langley had a right-sided corner and it was taken by Amoo and headed home at the near post by their bid central defender Calvin.

The home side kept up the pressure and won a number of corners and Garnham did well to get a good punch away to a couple of them. The AFC keeper then did really well as Amoo crossed and found the head of Duku, tipping the ball over the bar.

The Suffolk side then got to grips with the game as they took the lead through their midfield man Williams who was a tireless worker for the whole of the time he was on the pitch. The ball was played around in the home sides penalty area and then came out to Dylan Williams who fired home from some twenty-five yards giving Comas no chance.

Aidan Austin showed his forward power as got on a run down the right and fired away a shot at goal. Carroll on the other flank drew a foul that saw his attacker booked.

The tie was wrapped up with AFC’s third goal It was a well constructed move down the left hand side involving Parker and Eagle with the ball being put into the six yard box where Sam Clarke forced the ball home. It was the Sudbury Captains’ 350th appearance for the club and his 35th goal.

AFC made three changes in the final minutes of the game with Bantick leaving and Blackwell arriving, Jack Newman replaced Williams who had been effervescent all afternoon, and Liam Wales took over from Callander.

There was still time for Alfie Carroll to round off a fine full debut clearing off the goal line from a Duku header.

The final whistle went and it was job done and a First Round Proper place secured.

Att 151

YNOT