- Reserves score six times in second half
- Mark Ray gets four goals for AFC; brace for Wingfield
- Biggest league victory for AFC this season
- Luke Avenell rarely involved, on return for AFC
- Needham concede 17 goals in last two fixtures
Sudbury Reserves won their first match in three games, as they thrashed Needham Market Reserves 8-0.
Four goals from Mark Ray, a brace from Tom Wingfield, and single
goals from Kyran Clements and Joe Chester helped the Yellows thrash the
Marketmen.
The first piece of action saw Ollie Rumsey send the ball
towards Alex Greggor, who saw his cross into the box headed away by Cory Gittens;
before Stephano Mallardo saw his shot from a corner headed away.
Taylor Bannister saw his shot from Stollery’s header
blocked, for the visitors, who were in a red strip.
Sudbury could have taken the lead after five minutes in,
when Mark Ray was released into a one-on-one situation with Needham goalkeeper
James Bradbrook, but Ray’s shot was saved by the keeper.
Mark Ray had a shot blocked after 18 minutes, while
Gianfranco Mallardo saw his shot curve wide of goal.
The Yellows took the lead after 28 minutes, as Tom Wingfield’s shot from outside the
box curved into the goal.
The visitors searched for a way back into the game, and
earned a free-kick in the 43rd minute. Tobie Stollery sent the ball
into the box, but Luke Tynan guided his header wide of goal.
But in the 45th minute, the Yellows were handed
an opportunity to double their lead, as Tom Wingfield was fouled in the box, to
see the referee award a penalty. Josh Kerridge aimed the penalty in the bottom
right corner, which Bradbrook blocked, before the loose ball fell to Joe Chester who was able to fire home
from close range, to put Sudbury 2-0 up at the break.
Half-time: AFC Sudbury Res/U21s 2 Needham Market Reserves 0
(Attendance = 45)
The Yellows were 3-0 up after 49 minutes, as Mark Ray’s thumped a shot in the right
hand corner, giving the goalkeeper no chance.
Six minutes later (55’), the hosts were awarded a second
penalty – Mark Ray stepped up and
smashed the ball in the bottom left hand corner, to put Sudbury 4-0 up.
Josh Kerridge saw his header go over the crossbar in the 60th
minute, as AFC looked to extend their lead.
Alfie Carroll sent a long ball into the path of Mark Ray who fired home past Bradbrook
for 5-0, while an acrobatic overhead effort from Mark Ray was fired over the
crossbar.
Tom Wingfield got
his second goal of the afternoon, as his right-footed shot made it 6-0.
Johnny Kerridge had an effort inside the box scrambled away
after poor Needham defending, with Kyran
Clements receiving the ball in space, and fired past Bradbrook to make it
seven.
Mark Ray got his fourth goal of the afternoon, as his close range goal completed the victory.
Mark Ray got his fourth goal of the afternoon, as his close range goal completed the victory.
It was a quiet day for Luke Avenell who was rarely involved,
in his first match on his return to the club.
Despite the win, AFC remain 14th in the TN First Division table, and travel to Halstead (Sat 27 Dec) and Stowmarket (Sat 03 Jan), before they host Leiston Reserves (Sat 10 Jan).
Despite the win, AFC remain 14th in the TN First Division table, and travel to Halstead (Sat 27 Dec) and Stowmarket (Sat 03 Jan), before they host Leiston Reserves (Sat 10 Jan).
AFC Sudbury Res: Luke Avenell, Alfie Carroll, Ollie Rumsey,
Joshua Kerridge (Jack Pidgeon), Stephano Mallardo, Kyran Clements, Tom
Wingfield, Joe Chester (Johnny Kerridge), Mark Ray, Alex Greggor, Gianfranco
Mallardo (Ross Brazitis, 37). Unused Subs:
Josh Sheffield, Craig Avery
Needham Market Res: James Bradbrook, Kailum Steele, Connor
Corrick, Tobie Stollery, John Carver, David Greig, Ryan Ramley, Cory Gittens,
Luke Tynan, Taylor Bannister, Kyran Field
Referee: Colin Allen
Attendance: 45