AFC Sudbury Reserves were defeated 2-1 at home to Swaffham Town, despite a late goal from Gravetti at the Kings Marsh Stadium.
Swaffham dominated the early stages, and won a corner in the 2nd minute as Alex Vincent saw his cross knocked away. The resulting corner saw Pearson send a header goal-bound, but a foul was called against Swaffham.
A minute later, Joe Jackson saw a chance sent wide, although AFC keeper Luca Collins had the goal covered, while Ryan Pearson’s long range shot flew wide of goal.
AFC responded in the 9th minute with a dangerous attack, which saw Callum Fuller make a run up the left-wing and sent the ball into the box, but the effort was parried away by Pedlers’ goalkeeper Sam Pishorn.
The Norfolk had a further effort in the 12th minute as Joe Jackson latched onto a loose ball and sent the ball forward, but nobody was able to slot the effort home. Alex Vincent then saw an effort blocked by AFC’s goalkeeper Collins.
A Swaffham free-kick from Alex Vincent was blocked by Fuller in the 21st minute. At the other end, Josh Buckles delivered the ball towards Callum Fuller on the wing, and crossed the ball into the box but the effort was cleared away by Dan Tindall.
The visitors saw further efforts in the 27th and 29th minutes blocked by Luca Collins. First, Jack Prentice ran through the AFC defense and saw the shot saved, while Pearson’s cross was blocked.
Luca Collins made a magnificent save in the 38th minute, when he denied Jack Prentice from close range. The AFC keeper did well to deny several Swaffham efforts throughout the half.
Half-time: AFC Sudbury Res 0 Swaffham Town 0
At half-time, Joe Wright was replaced by Alex Eredianwa for AFC.
Kie Dyer came close for AFC in the 48th minute with his effort blocked, while Jackson’s chance was diverted away by Ollie Gravetti.
But the visitors took the lead in the 55th minute as Alex Vincent chipped the ball into the top right corner pass Collins. Shortly after the goal, Jake Cloclough was booked for AFC.
Town came close again in the 59th minute as Hunt retrieved the ball but AFC cleared the danger. Alex Vincent was close to a second goal, but his tight angle effort was off-target. Jake Colclough produced a well-timed tackle to deny Joe Jackson.
A Swaffham double change in the 68th minute saw Tommy Hunt and James Thompson replaced by Kieran Bruce and Callum Robinson.
Joe Walker was replaced by Baris Altintop, after Walker was forced off with an injury (77’), while Callum Vincent took the place of Josh Buckles (80’)
Swaffham doubled their lead in the 85th minute as substitute Kieran Bruce slotted home from close range. Alex Vincent saw his effort saved excellently by Luca Collins, moments after the goal, as Swaffham looked close to extending their lead.
However, Sudbury got a goal back in the 89th minute when Ollie Gravetti slotted home from close range past Sam Pishorn. Despite the late goal, the Norfolk visitors held on for the win.
Full-time: AFC Sudbury Res 1 Swaffham Town 2.
Sudbury: Luca Collins, Jake Colclough, Joe Walker (Baris Altintop, 77), Joe Wright (Alex Eredianwa, 45), Milo Grimes, Adam Dunnage, Oliver Gravetti, Milo Downey, Josh Buckles (Callum Vincent, 80’), Kie Dyer, Callum Fuller. Unused: Sam Bishop.
Swaffham: Sam Pishorn, Luke Reed, Liam Reed, James Thompson (Callum Robinson, 68’), Danny Tindall, Jack Prentice, Nick Castellan, Tommy Hunt (Kieran Bruce, 68’), Ryan Pearson, Alex Vincent, Joe Jackson. Unused: Alfie Brindle, Matt Blackford.
Att: 73