By Louis Byers
FANbase Football
AFC Sudbury Reserves concluded their third consecutive Thurlow Nunn League season with a 6-0 victory over Leiston Reserves.
The home side were greeted by the return of Louis Johnson, who watched the match with the other 66 fans in attendance.AFC dominated the early stages, with early efforts from Jordan Blackwell and Danny Bloomfield blocked by the visitors.
Leiston replied instantly, as Nuno Nuguira delivered the ball towards Jack Baker, with his effort deflecting away off Kyran Clements. The home side did well to defend four early corners from the visitors.
AFC took the lead in the sixth minute: Jordan Blackwell produced an excellent cross which was controlled by Charlie Gilbert, and he set up Ryan McNicholas who tapped the ball home.
The Yellows doubled their lead in the 11th minute, as Charlie Gilbert outpaced several defenders, and going on to tap the ball past Blues goalkeeper Charlie Beckwith.
The home side eventually made it 3-0, as Jordan Blackwell produced a neat little finish to slot home Toby Mitchell’s forward ball, in the 21st minute.
Defender Toby Mitchell produced an effort himself in the 27th minute, which was calmly collected by Charlie Beckwith.
Leiston’s Nuno Nuguira was unlucky not to score, as he struck an effort wide of Aaron Bean’s goal, in a one-on-one situation on 29’.
In the 34th minute, Jack Baker had a good shot blocked by Mitchell, with the rebound effort stopped well by Aaron Bean, who dived in front of the shot.
In the closing stages of the half, Leiston won a threatening free-kick, which was nodded away by Joe Copping, with a re-delivered cross knocked away by Blackwell. Sam Mills also did well to head the ball, off the line in a close-range strike from the visitors.
Half-time: AFC Sudbury Res 3-0 Leiston Res
It took only a minute for AFC to score a fourth goal, as Jordan Blackwell played the ball to Charlie Gilbert who fired the ball home, to extend the home side’s lead (46’).
Gilbert looked to claim his third goal, as he smashed an effort from 25-yards out, which was claimed by Charlie Beckwith, before Ollie Peters had a strike, on-target, caught by the Leiston shot-stopper.
Leiston’s Josh Cheetham was unlucky not to score on 54, as he had an attempt curve towards the crossbar.
The home side’s first change saw Ollie Peters replaced by Jack Pidgeon.
Ryan McNicholas made a good run for Sudbury, as he was played through on goal, but he was dispossessed by Lewis Bell.
Leiston, in a red strip, could have scored in the 65th minute, as Jake Baker smacked an effort towards goal, but Aaron Bean was on hand to block the effort. The resulting corner was scrambled away, with a second corner directed out by Jack Baker for a goal-kick.
Danny Laws made two final alterations to his side, as Callum Hemson and Danny Bloomfield departed the field for Bradley Beevis, and Craig Avery.
AFC continued to control the match, and made it five nil in the 78th minute, as Charlie Gilbert earned his hat-trick with a good header, from Blackwell’s delivery.
Jordan Blackwell, who had an excellent match, went on to collect a brace, slotting the ball home in the 87th minute, to conclude an enjoyable match.
AFC Sudbury Reserves: Aaron Bean, Callum Hemson (Callum Hemson, 74’), Toby Mitchell, Danny Bloomfield (Craig Avery, 74’), Sam Mills, Kyran Clements, Ollie Peters (Jack Pidgeon, 59’), Joe Copping, Charlie Gilbert, Jordan Blackwell, Ryan McNicholas. Unused: Reece White, Ollie Dunlop.
Leiston Reserves: Charlie Beckwith, Lloyd Clarke, Matthew Oliver, Kevin Ingus, Lewis Bell, Scott Marjoram, William Okbrow, Nuno Nuguira, Aaron Thurlow, Jack Baker, Josh Cheetham. Tom Mansfield (used sub).
Att: 66.
Ref: Mr. Lee Kendrick.