- AFC end league season with victory
- Mark Ray completes brace - strike late on for Franco Mallardo
- Jordan Wheeler scores for visitors
- AFC side now prepare for cup final on Friday
- Thurlow Nunn First Division match at the Wardale Williams Stadium
AFC Sudbury Res/U21s capped off their second Thurlow Nunn League season, as they beat Dereham Reserves 3-1 at the Wardale-Williams Stadium.
Dereham started the strongest early on, with an early attack easily cleared away by the AFC side.
In the 9th minute, Dereham won a corner after the ball was headed away by Stephano Mallardo. The corner was crossed in by Cameron Beazer, but Mark Ray was on hand to head the ball away.
AFC’s first noteworthy attack came a few minutes later, as Blackman’s played the ball to Joe Chester, who sent the ball back to Blackman, who had a cross in the box claimed by visiting goalkeeper Liam Upson.
With 17 minutes played, Sam Ross made a run down the far wing, and crossed the ball towards Mark Ray, and played a high ball into the path of Jordan Brazitis, but the ball was claimed by Upson.
The hosts made an early substitution as Harry Seal left the field for Craig Avery, after 22 minutes.
AFC won a free-kick in the 25th minute. Connor Field sent the ball into the box, but Dereham shot-stopper Upson cleared the ball away for the Magpies. Straight at the other end, Kyran Clements headed the ball back towards Ethan Halls, who had a headed blocked by Curtis Child. The resulting corner was headed away by Mark Ray.
With half-an-hour played, Mark Ray put the Yelllows 1-0 up, as a defensive mistake from Dereham allowed Ray to make a run, and slot past Upson in a one-on-one position.
Ray could have doubled the lead for his side soon after, but he blazed his effort over the bar, while Wayne Blackman saw his effort blocked by the Magpies keeper.
Prior to the interval, Lewis Gibson had a strike from the far wing easily claimed by Curtis Childs.
Half-Time: AFC Sudbury Res/U21s 1-0 Dereham Town Reserves
AFC began the second half livelier, and could have won a penalty straight away: Kyran Clements was pulled down in the box by Liam Upson, but a corner was awarded instead. The corner was not a problem for Dereham, who easily cleared it.
In the 50th minute, Craig Avery had an excellent effort which had Upson at full stretch, and held the ball well.
Jordan Wheeler equalised for the visitors, two minutes after, as he slotted the ball past Curtis Childs.
Dereham began to dominate the fixture, and were in search of a second goal, with an effort from Ethan Hall saved by the legs of Childs. Lewis Gibson also had an effort from outside the box having Curtis Childs at full-stretch.
In the 65th minute, AFC made a double substitution, with Tom Wingfield and Johnny Kerridge coming on for Sam Ross and Connor Field.
An Improved Season
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| AFC finish the league this season in 14th position, with 38 points - 10 wins, 6 draws and 20 defeats for the 'developing' squad. |
AFC regained the lead in the 67th minute as Jordan Brazitis won the ball to play to ball to Franco Mallardo, who played the ball towards Wayne Blackman. Mark Ray was then released into the box and was able to convert the effort, to score.
Jordan Brazitis had an effort swerve wide of goal, while Ross Brazitis had an shot caught by keeper Liam Upson.
Dereham had a free-kick headed away by Mark Ray, while Magpies substitute Wayne Anderson saw his rebound effort flagged offside.
Sudbury confirmed the win in the 85th minute, as an excellent goal-kick by Curtis Childs fell towards Mark Ray down the close wing, who made the run and sent it towards Gianfranco Mallardo in the box, who smashed the ball home off the underside of the crossbar to make it 3-1.
Full-Time: AFC Sudbury Res/U21s 3-1 Dereham Town Reserves
It was a much more eventful second half, and a great result for the Yellows, who end the season in fourteenth position. They now look forward to a cup final against Great Yarmouth Town on Friday evening (preview online later this week).
LINE-UPS, BOOKINGS AND SUBSTITUTIONS
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AFC Sudbury Reserves
Curtis Childs Sam Ross (Tom Wingfield 65’) Harry Seal (Craig Avery 22’) Connor Field (Johnny Kerridge 65’) Kyran Clements Stephano Mallardo Wayne Blackman Joe Chester Mark Ray Gianfranco Mallardo Jordan Brazitis Unused Sub: Jack Pidgeon |
Dereham Town Reserves
Liam Upson Jordan Lake Stuart Garner Jack Hood Mateo Henman Jordan Wheeler Severin Mokate Lawrence Blythe Lewis Gibson Cameron Beazer Ethan Hall (Wayne Anderson 73’) All Subs Used. |
Att: 37 Ref: William Case
MOTM: Mark Ray
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Our congratulations go to Long Melford, who are champions of the Thurlow Nunn First Division, for 2014-15.