By Louis Byers
FANbase Football
AFC Sudbury Reserves ended their eight-match unbeaten run, as they lost 2-1 to Downham Town, despite a good performance from the home side.
Downham started the match brightly, and Connor Walker had an effort blocked by Alfie Carroll for a corner. Matt Calvert delivered the corner into the box towards Mark Smith, who had a shot cleared by Ryan McNicholas.Mark Smith had a second effort, moments later, and collected by Ollie Dunlop who cleared the effort.
Sudbury’s first effort opened up in the 7th minute, as Alex Bailey tapped the ball out, under pressure from Alfie Carroll, on the left wing. The corner fell to James Baughurst, who saw his effort spin wide of Joe Clement’s goal.
The Yellows continued to grow into the match, and they produced a good chance in the eighth minute; James Baughurst won the ball and played it towards McNicholas, who set up Charlie Gilbert, and he struck a shot which was caught well by Joe Clements.
Ryan McNicholas smashed a shot against the crossbar, in the 18th minute, past goalkeeper Joe Clements who was well-beaten. The loose ball was cleared away by the Downham central-defenders.
Charlie Gilbert fired a free-kick over the bar, just outside the area for the hosts, while Zak Merrishaw fired a long-range effort wide of Johnson’s goal, on 20’.
Sudbury survived a scare in the 32nd minute, when Alex Bailey chipped the ball down the right wing through to Walker. He went on to play the ball to captain Craig Dickson, who crossed the ball into the box, but nobody was there to finish the effort for Downham.
The hosts continued to dominate the first period, with Wayne Blackman’s low cross claimed by Joe Clements, while Charlie Gilbert’s attempt from McNicholas’ cross was blocked for a corner. James Baughurst, again, produced a diving save out of Joe Clements.
Defender Sam Mills stabbed a half-volley from Gilbert’s cross, just wide, in the 39th minute, as the home side continued to press for an opening effort.
The visitors took the lead, just a minute prior to half-time, as skipper Craig Dickson chipped AFC keeper Louis Johnson, after good play from Dickson and James Dougal.
Half-time: AFC Sudbury 0-1 Downham Town
Zak Merrishaw did well to play Matt Calvert through on goal, as his strike was deflected away for Downham.
Connor Walker continued to threaten AFC, as he struck a long range effort against the crossbar. The Downham striker was booked, moments later.
The home side searched for a way back into the match, and Wayne Blackman struck the ball at Joe Clements, who fumbled the ball but quickly recovered. However, Louis Johnson did well to catch Matt Calvert’s shot from Andy Willmott’s free-kick, to deny the visitors from extending their lead.
Another free-kick, this time from Alex Bailey, saw Louis Johnson catch the ball, to deny Walker from reaching the high ball.
In the 65th minute, Town doubled their lead, as Craig Dickson played the ball back to Mark Smith, who was in the box to strike the ball home.
AFC’s first substitute saw Ollie Peters and Craig Avery depart the field for Ben Judge and James Axcell.
The Yellows produced a chance in the 77th minute, when they won a free-kick. Charlie Gilbert crossed the ball into the box, but was headed away by Pat Yates. The resulting corner was crossed in by Gilbert, to Sam Mills at the back post, but he could only direct his header wide.
Two 80th minute substitutes saw Zak Craik replace Connor Walker (for Downham), and Alfie Carroll depart for Joe Wright (for AFC). Mark Smith then departed the field for Tom Gilbert, for Downham, four minutes later.
The home side were yet to give up, and Wayne Blackman produced a powerful strike, which was blocked.
On 87’ Downham were unlucky not to take a three-goal lead, as Zak Merrishaw had an effort blocked on the line by Louis Johnson.
Substitute James Axcell slotted the ball home, after messy defending from the home side, to salvage something for their efforts, in injury time. However, the 92nd minute strike was not enough, as the visitors battled well to leave Suffolk with three points.
LINE-UPS, BOOKINGS AND SUBSTITUTIONS | |
AFC Sudbury Reserves
Sam Mills
Alfie Carroll (Joe Wright, 80')
James Baughurst Tyler French Craig Avery (Ben Judge, 67') Ollie Dunlop Wayne Blackman Charlie Gilbert Ryan McNicholas Ollie Peters (James Axcell, 67')
Unused: Brad Beevis
|
Downham Town
Joe Clements Craig Dickson Alex Bailey Jono Sykes Pat Yates James Dougal Connor Walker [] (Zak Craik, 80') Matt Calvert Mark Smith (Tom Gilbert, 82') Zak Merrishaw Andy Wilmott Unused: Liam Cox, Luke Gooding |
Ref: Adrian Copsey
MOTM: Connor Walker (Downham)
Att: 70 Thurlow Nunn First Division Sat 6th Feb 2016 | |