REPORT: AFC Sudbury Reserves 0-1 Whitton United

Williams’ first-half strike secured the points, as his Whitton side beat Sudbury 1-0 at the MEL Group Stadium.

Sudbury’s first shot came in the opening five minutes; a free-kick taken by Ifield met the head of Adams before the referee awarded a corner due to shouts of handball. The resulting corner was caught by visiting keeper Jones.

Lee Ifield was taken off after 19 minutes, following a hamstring injury he picked up. Brazitis replaced him.

Half-time approached, and Whitton looked most likely to score. In the 41st minute, a cross from Bradlaugh setup Williams, with his shot excellently saved by Luke Avenell.

The Greens took the lead in the final minute of the first half. Good build-up play saw Capocci feed the ball to Crowe before he crossed towards Chris Williams who struck the ball past home keeper Avenell.

Half-time: AFC Sudbury Reserves/Under-21s 0 Whitton United 1

The opening chance of the second period came to Whitton’s Crowe, with his shot from far out was cleared by the Yellows. The Greens continued to play dominantly throughout the opening ten minutes.

In the 60th minute, a free-kick from a Whitton player just past the half-way line went wide of goal, despite looping over home keeper Avenell.

Three minutes later, Steve Adams was booked for arguing with the referee.

Both sides made substitutions in the 70th minute: Andy Fisher was replaced by Dan Smith, while Heathcote came on for Crowe.

In the 78th minute, Sudbury received a corner as Swallow fired the ball into the box towards Benham, who guided his header straight at keeper Jones.

Burnett came on for the Greens in the 80th minute, replacing Capocci.

Good build-up play from AFC a minute later saw Fox cross towards Thurgood who fired his shot over the crossbar.

Hammond came off for Smith-Edwards, for the visitors third and final change in added time (90+1’) before Anton Clarke was booked for an obvious foul.

Sudbury pushed throughout the second-half but were unable to convert chances. 

Full-time: AFC Sudbury Reserves/Under-21s 0 Whitton United 1

Attendance: 48

Teams:
Sudbury: Avenell, Jackson, Fox, Bailey, Adams, Benham, Ifield, Cawtheray, Fisher, Swallow, Thurgood
Subs: Smith, Last, Lait, Brazatis

Whitton: Jones, Hammond, E Clarke, A Clarke, Knott, Marjoram, Capocci, Inglis, WIlliams, Bradlaugh, Crowe
Burnett, Snell, Heathcote, Smith-Edwards, Turner

Written by Louis Byers in attendance at the MEL Group Stadium.