Brad Beevis scored a first half brace, and Wayne Blackman struck a superb long range effort to help AFC defeat Woodbridge Town 3-0 at the Wardale-Williams Stadium.

The Yellows began the match strong, as James Baughurst played a long ball into the path of Jack Newman, but Woodpeckers goalkeeper Harry Lay-Fulcher was on hand to claim the ball.

At the other end, Alex Greggor played former AFC man Mark Ray into the box he then fired from close-range straight at Louis Johnson in the AFC goal. Stefano Mallardo crossed the ball in towards James Axcell, but his shot was collected by Lay-Fulcher.

Sam Mills did well to intercept the ball from the Woodbridge midfield, as he played the ball wide to Bradley Beevis, who crossed to Danny Bloomfield, who saw his well-taken effort diverted away by Lay-Fulcher.

Jack Newman curled a free-kick just over the bar for AFC, while Jake Green headed wide for the visitors, moments after. AFC’s early pressure payed off in the 18th minute, as Jack Newman weaved through the Woodbridge players, to deliver the ball to Wayne Blackman down the right wing, who played the ball through to Brad Beevis, who beat the offside trap to fire the ball home.

Sudbury doubled their lead, eight minutes later, as Beevis struck the ball home past Lay-Fulcher, after James Axcell’s initial effort was blocked.

On thirty-five minutes Wayne Blackman collected the ball in midfield and struck a superb effort from 30 yards that went past Lay-Fulcher to put AFC three goals up.

Louis Johnson pulled off an excellent save, several minutes later, to deny Woodpeckers captain Alex Greggor, after good build-up play from the visitors.

Half-time: AFC Sudbury Reserves 3-0 Woodbridge Town

A half-time sub for the visitors saw Harry Cole replaced by brother, Sam Cole.

Sudbury were close to taking a four nil lead, as Baughurst played the ball back to Wayne Blackman, who hit the crossbar with his effort. Ryan Keeble was played through to goal, by Alex Greggor, and he had an effort blocked by Kyran Clements, while Mark Ray’s rebound strike was deflected wide.

Goalscorers Beevis and Blackman looked to extend Sudbury’s lead, but they were both denied by visiting shot-stopper Lay-Fulcher. Joe Langfield’s effort from a Woodbridge corner was no threat to Sudbury, as he chipped his effort over the bar.

George Watson was replaced for Josh Hitter for Woodbridge in the 61st minute. Mark Ray saw an effort in the 66th minute cleared by AFC's Clements. Callum Sinclair sent the ball in towards Ryan Keeble, who had a strike blocked by AFC central defender Stefano Mallardo.

AFC were threatening on the counter attack and that was seen in the 67th minute: Sam Mills broke free down the right wing, after he collected the ball from Ryan Keeble, but fouled Marco Makrins in the final third.

The hosts made a double substitution with James Axcell and goalscorer Brad Beevis making way for Ryan McNicholas and Ollie Dunlop. Woodbridge’s final change saw Callum Sinclair replaced by George Thrower, all in the 72nd minute while James Baughurst was replaced by Ben Judge in the 85th minute.

The visitors were close to scoring a consolation goal when Alex Greggor made a run down the left wing and crossed the ball into the box toward Mark Ray, who was unable to slot the ball home.

Sudbury substitute Ryan McNicholas played the ball through to Sam Mills, who delivered a good cross towards Jack Newman, but he headed the ball wide.

This was another good day at the office for Danny Laws and Dave Cannon's (pictured) side, who picked up their sixth successive victory and climbed to fifth place in the Thurlow Nunn First Division table.

AFC Sudbury: Louis Johnson, Sam Mills, Alfie Carroll, James Baughurst (Ben Judge, 85’), Stefano Mallardo, Kyran Clements, Bradley Beevis (Oliver Dunlop, 72’), Wayne Blackman, Danny Bloomfield, Jack Newman, James Axcell (Ryan McNicholas, 72’). Unused: Tyler French, Charlie Gilbert.

Woodbridge Town: Harry Lay-Fulcher, Luke Moss, Marco Makrins, George Watson (Josh Hitter, 61’), Jake Green, Joe Langfield, Callum Sinclair (George Thrower, 72’), Harry Cole (Sam Cole, 45’), Alex Greggor, Ryan Keeble. All subs used.

Att: 129.

Louis Byers
FANbase head editor and AFC Sudbury Reserves match reporter
fanbasemag.blogspot.com / afcsudbury.com
Twitter: @LouisB8 / @FANbaseBlog