- Reserves record first home league win
- Four different players score for hosts
- J Kerridge, Brazitis, Breadman, Ray
- Reserves up to 17th following win
- Second successive 4-0 defeat for Downham
The visitors, in a red and black strip, started brightly and could have taken the lead in the first minute through Sam Hawslip’s high shot, which was clawed off the line by Louis Johnson.
Harry Porter saw his eleventh minute shot easily saved by Johnson, for Downham.
In the 21st minute, the Yellows made an early substitute as Jack Tolhurst, who picked up an injury, was replaced by Josh Sheffield.
But in the 32nd minute, AFC earned a penalty as Mark Ray was pulled down inside the box. Captain Josh Kerridge stepped up confidently, and placed the ball in the right hand corner, past Town keeper Joe Clements, to give the Yellows the lead.
Mark Ray saw his 39th minute shot curve wide of Clements’ goal, while Johnny Kerridge had a shot blocked by the Downham shot-stopper.
Half-time: AFC Sudbury Reserves/U21s 1 Downham Town 0
Sudbury came out for the second half full of confidence, and the Yellows could have scored right from kick-off, but Mark Ray had his shot blocked by Clements.
AFC did increase their lead in the 53rd minute, as Jordan Brazitis calmly finished from close range to beat Joe Clements.
Joe Chester saw his free-kick for the hosts tipped over the crossbar by Clements.
Downham made their first alteration in the 57th minute, as Nathan Cross came on for Jono Sykes.
The Yellows had a good chance in the 65th minute: Gianfranco Mallardo’s free-kick was headed away by Town, with the loose ball picked up by Johnny Kerridge, who saw powerful shot saved.
Downham rarely threatened in the second half, but Harry Porter’s shot from the wing hit the side netting, while Johnny Kerridge fired his shot over, at the other end.
Both sides made a change in the 73rd minute: Alex Breadman came on for Josh Kerridge for the hosts. David Cutlen replaced Sam Howslip for the Norfolk side. Tom Wingfield made way for Jack Pidgeon in the 80th minute.
Two goals in quick succession at the end of the half confirmed the points for the Yellows: Sudbury’s third goal came as Mark Ray crossed the ball to Alex Breadman who fired past Clements in the 83rd minute. And the hosts made it 4-0 a minute later, as Alex Breadman’s original shot was blocked and parried by Joe Clements into the path of Mark Ray, who fired home into the empty net from close range.
AFC Sudbury: Louis Johnson, Jack Tolhurst (Josh Sheffield, 21’), Tom Wingfield (Jack Pidgeon, 83’), Josh Kerridge, Kyran Clements, Craig Avery, Jordan Brazitis, Joe Chester, Johnny Kerridge (Alex Breadman, 73’), Gianfranco Mallardo, Mark Ray. All subs used
Downham Town: Joe Clements, Jack Gould, Dale Stokes, Jono Sykes (Nathan Cross, 57’), Craig Dickson, Pat Yates, Ben Longmuir, Harry Porter, Mark Smith, Matt Calvert, Sam Hawslip (David Cutlen, 73’). Unused: Karl Tansley
Attendance: 32 - MOTM: Jordan Brazitis (Sudbury)