A goal in each half helped AFC Sudbury Reserves as they beat Long Melford 2-0, in the first round of the Thurlow Nunn League Cup.
The visitors named a side featuring several ex-AFC players, including skipper Steve Adams, Dan Smith and Andy Fisher.
The Yellows were on the attack early, and in the sixth minute, Jordan Brazitis crossed the ball towards Blackwell, but Melford keeper Darren Moyes claimed the ball.
In the 17th minute, Melford had an attacking stint, as Alfie Brindle crossed the ball to Nathan Rowe, who fired straight at AFC keeper Louis Johnston.
Three minutes after, ex-AFC player Dan Smith saw his high effort caught by Johnston.
In the 25th minute, Ross Waugh’s free-kick for the Villagers was blocked by an AFC player, before Dan Smith struck the rebound effort wide.
Melford could have taken the lead, when Nathan Rowe was released into a one-on-one effort against goalkeeper Johnston, but his effort went wide of the goal.
Blackwell continued to cause trouble for the Melford defence, and saw his strike in the 35th minute go wide of goal.
Two minutes later (37’), Jordan Blackwell gave the hosts the lead, as the young striker produced a solo effort, before firing low past Darren Moyes.
The AFC side won a free-kick prior to half time, following Dan Swain’s tackle on Blackwell. The free-kick, taken by Mallardo, was headed wide of goal.
Half-time: AFC Sudbury Reserves 1 Long Melford 0
The visitors could have equalised in the 53rd minute, when Joe Harvey saw his header parried away by Johnston. The resulting corner was headed off the line by Brazitis.
In the 67th minute, AFC Sudbury doubled their advantage, when Johnny Kerridge crossed to Mark Ray, who fired home past Moyes.
Melford also caused problems for AFC, with substitute Ashley Skeggs seeing his shot blocked by Johnston.
Blackwell continued to make an impact, and saw his shot in the 77th minute curve wide.
Jordan Blackwell also had a shot blocked late on for the hosts, as he forced Moyes into a diving save.
The final effort of the match came to Nathan Rowe, who had his shot caught by Johnston.
It was a great performance by the Yellows, who deserved to come away with their 2-0 win.
AFC Sudbury (unconfirmed line-up): Louis Johnston, Jordan Brazitis (off for 12), Josh Sheffield, Gianfranco Mallardo, Jack Tolhurst, Kyran Clements, Joe Chester, Johnny Kerridge, Alex Breadman (off for Tom Wingfield), Mark Ray, Jordan Blackwell.
Long Melford: Darren Moyes, Sam Bayliss, Ross Waugh, Joe Harvey, Steve Adams (cpt), Anthony Waugh, Nathan Rowe, Dan Smith, Alfie Brindle, Dan Swain.
Subs: Jack Durey (ON), Sam Mansfield, Ashley Skeggs (ON), Michael Owen, Steve Chisholm
Attendance: 64 | Ref: Colin Warn | Thurlow Nunn League Challenge Cup Round 1
The visitors named a side featuring several ex-AFC players, including skipper Steve Adams, Dan Smith and Andy Fisher.
The Yellows were on the attack early, and in the sixth minute, Jordan Brazitis crossed the ball towards Blackwell, but Melford keeper Darren Moyes claimed the ball.
In the 17th minute, Melford had an attacking stint, as Alfie Brindle crossed the ball to Nathan Rowe, who fired straight at AFC keeper Louis Johnston.
Three minutes after, ex-AFC player Dan Smith saw his high effort caught by Johnston.
In the 25th minute, Ross Waugh’s free-kick for the Villagers was blocked by an AFC player, before Dan Smith struck the rebound effort wide.
Melford could have taken the lead, when Nathan Rowe was released into a one-on-one effort against goalkeeper Johnston, but his effort went wide of the goal.
Blackwell continued to cause trouble for the Melford defence, and saw his strike in the 35th minute go wide of goal.
Two minutes later (37’), Jordan Blackwell gave the hosts the lead, as the young striker produced a solo effort, before firing low past Darren Moyes.
The AFC side won a free-kick prior to half time, following Dan Swain’s tackle on Blackwell. The free-kick, taken by Mallardo, was headed wide of goal.
Half-time: AFC Sudbury Reserves 1 Long Melford 0
The visitors could have equalised in the 53rd minute, when Joe Harvey saw his header parried away by Johnston. The resulting corner was headed off the line by Brazitis.
In the 67th minute, AFC Sudbury doubled their advantage, when Johnny Kerridge crossed to Mark Ray, who fired home past Moyes.
Melford also caused problems for AFC, with substitute Ashley Skeggs seeing his shot blocked by Johnston.
Blackwell continued to make an impact, and saw his shot in the 77th minute curve wide.
Jordan Blackwell also had a shot blocked late on for the hosts, as he forced Moyes into a diving save.
The final effort of the match came to Nathan Rowe, who had his shot caught by Johnston.
It was a great performance by the Yellows, who deserved to come away with their 2-0 win.
AFC Sudbury (unconfirmed line-up): Louis Johnston, Jordan Brazitis (off for 12), Josh Sheffield, Gianfranco Mallardo, Jack Tolhurst, Kyran Clements, Joe Chester, Johnny Kerridge, Alex Breadman (off for Tom Wingfield), Mark Ray, Jordan Blackwell.
Long Melford: Darren Moyes, Sam Bayliss, Ross Waugh, Joe Harvey, Steve Adams (cpt), Anthony Waugh, Nathan Rowe, Dan Smith, Alfie Brindle, Dan Swain.
Subs: Jack Durey (ON), Sam Mansfield, Ashley Skeggs (ON), Michael Owen, Steve Chisholm
Attendance: 64 | Ref: Colin Warn | Thurlow Nunn League Challenge Cup Round 1