AFC Sudbury Reserves ended 2015 as they defeat local rivals Cornard United 1-0 at the Wardale-Williams Stadium.
It would mark a return for former AFC manager and player Chris Tracey, who was in the away dugout.Cornard, in a blue strip, started the match brightly and won a free-kick within the opening minute. James Claydon crossed the ball towards Billy Skinner, who saw his effort claimed by Louis Johnson.
Liam Wales had an effort for AFC blocked by Skinner, while Emblem’s cross at the other end flew wide of Johnson’s goal.
AFC won their first free-kick in the 14th minute: Jack Newman crossed the ball into the box, but it flew past everyone for a goal kick.
Billy Skinner continued to threaten the home side, and he picked up a ball following an error from Alfie Carroll, but struck his effort wide.
Claydon played a good ball through to Casey Emblem, but the pass was too heavy, and was easily claimed by Johnson. At the other end, Danny Bloomfield’s cross was caught by visiting keeper Aaron Reid.
The Ards won another free-kick in the 23rd minute, as Liam Morley struck the ball in towards Dave Dowding, who headed the ball into the path of Alfie Carroll, who was on hand to clear the danger, although the play was marked offside.
Another free-kick followed, a minute later, for the visitors, as Stephano Mallardo pulled down Liam Morley. Skinner crossed into the box, which was headed away by James Baughurst, and eventually cleared by Wayne Blackman.
It was Sudbury’s turn for a free-kick, in the 26th minute, after Liam Wales was brought down. The free-kick was well struck by Jack Newman, who saw the ball curl just wide of the goal.
Liam Wales struck a decent effort from outside the box, curve wide of Reid’s goal, while Blackman was unlucky when he nodded the ball wide, from Wales’ corner, moments after.
The home side continued to grow into the match – Alfie Carroll played the ball back to James Baughurst, who delivered the ball to Liam Wales who struck his effort straight at Aaron Reid.
In injury time of the first half, Carroll set up Jack Newman, who played Danny Bloomfield in on goal, who smacked the ball straight at Aaron Reid, but the play was marked offside.
The second half resumed with an early effort from the ‘Ards. Casey Emblem struck the ball, following Skinners delivery, wide of Johnson’s goal.
George Clarke played a one-two with Bloomfield, with Clarke claiming the ball and seeing his effort diverted away by Reid.
Danny Bloomfield played Wayne Blackman down the right hand wing, and his cross deflected off Liam Morley. The resulting corner was crossed in by Liam Wales, to Blackman, who blazed the ball wide, in the 53rd minute.
Sudbury continued to cause trouble for the visitors: Jack Newman saw an effort blocked by a Cornard defender, with Alfie Carroll shooting the rebound effort wide.
Sudbury’s hard work paid off in the 59th minute when they were awarded a penalty, after good build up play from Liam Wales, who weaved in and out of several Cornard players. Danny Bloomfield stepped up, and fired the ball in the left hand corner, to put Sudbury ahead.
James Axcell was replaced by George Clarke in the 71st minute, for AFC’s first substitute of the match.
Cornard saw a free-kick headed away by Tyler French, where James Axcell picked up the ball and made a run down the left hand side. He chipped the ball past rushing goalkeeper Aaron Reid, but the ball landed wide of the goal. It was very unlucky for the hosts.
In the closing stages, the visitors won another free-kick , which was headed down by Luke Edwards, who played the ball to Billy Skinner, who crossed to Liam Morley who fired the ball wide.
Sudbury’s second alteration saw Liam Wales replaced by Ryan McNicholas (88’).
AFC Sudbury: Louis Johnson, Sam Mills, Alfie Carroll, James Baughurst, Tyler French, Stefano Mallardo, Wayne Blackman, Jack Newman, George Clarke (James Axcell, 71’), Danny Bloomfield, Liam Wales (Ryan McNicholas, 88’). Subs: Jack Pidgeon, Craig Avery, Ollie Dunlop
Cornard United: Aaron Reid, Shaun McLarkley, Scott Sloots, Liam Morley, Luke Edwards, Dave Dowding, Billy Skinner, Thomas Le Page, James Claydon, Casey Emblem, Reece Morgan.
Used: Joshua Collins, Craig Doherty, Tom Lampshire. Unused: James Beckett, Ben Tracey.
Att: 197
Ref: James Parks