Victory Again

AFC made it three wins in as many seasons in the Suffolk Boys’ Under-18 Midweek Cup.

They beat Bury Town 3-1 in the final at the Weston Homes Community Stadium, home of Colchester United FC, on Bank Holiday Monday.

It was Bury who took the lead through Cameron Smith, but AFC Sudbury were level three minutes later through Tom Maycock, who scored again before Ben Hunter made it 3-1.

There was no further scoring in the second period, but Bury ensured that AFC Sudbury, whose entire starting XI have all featured in their first team this season, did not have matters all their own way.

Indeed, it was first blood to Bury as Cameron Smith got in front of his marker to send a near-post header beyond Luca Collins from Tommy Robinson’s left-wing free-kick with only nine minutes on the clock.

It was from a free-kick on the opposite flank that AFC Sudbury equalised just three minutes later, Maycock meeting Callum Watson’s delivery to convert at the near post.

Watson outfoxed Robinson before bending a pass with the outside of his right foot into the path of Callum Fuller on the left flank, and Maycock met his low cross to put AFC Sudbury ahead in the 15th minute.

Tom Dettmar struck the Bury Town crossbar two minutes later, but a good passing move ended with Watson releasing Hunter to finish coolly with 31 minutes played.

That could have been the signal for lesser teams to raise the white flag, but Bury kept the game competitive.

Hunter, who was being watched by his grandfather Allan, the former Ipswich Town centre half, almost made it four when his 71st minute header hit the outside of a post from Joe Walker’s cross.

Bury finished strongly and Mitchell Wright sent a 45-yard shot fizzing just wide of Collins’ left-hand post, before the keeper saved from Freddie McCracken at close range and Jack Wass saw his goal-bound shot blocked at the death.

The cup and medals were presented by former Suffolk FA Chairman David Porter, who is a Life Member of the County FA and donated the trophy.

The Teams

AFC Sudbury: Luca Collins, Jake Colclough, Joe Walker, Tom Dettmar, Milo Grimes, Adam Dunnage, Ollie Gravett, Ben Hunter, Callum Fuller, Callum Watson, Tom Maycock. Used subs: Baris Altintop, Kie Dyer, Adam Hanson, Nathan Read, Kane Munday.

Bury Town: Ollie Froud, Jack Stone, Mitchell Wright, Harry Moore, Jay Proctor, Henry Hall, Cameron Smith, Josh Revell, Oli Selfe, Tommy Robinson, Robbie Hunter. Used subs: Jack Wass, Joe Keylock, Freddie McCracken, Charlie Cook, Ben Steele.

Referee: Dion Thorpe.

Attendance: 410.