Sudbury report

[Rob_the_Saint]

From the AFC Sudbury website www.afc-sudbury.co.uk - seems pretty fair to me...

 

A.F.C. SUDBURY 1 ST ALBANS CITY 2

 

A.F.C. Sudbury started the game brightly and had a claim for a fifth minute penalty for a foul on Gary Bennett turned down by referee Whitestone. St. Albans City gradually found their feet and began to press Sudbury as the game ebbed and flowed in typical F.A. Cup fashion. Chris Howlett knocked the ball out for a corner on 7 minutes and then headed the ball clear. The loose ball was rifled over the bar and the danger passed. Chris Tracey headed away a dangerous ball on 9 minutes which reached Terry Rayner. Rayner crossed well to Gary Bennett whose shot flew just over the bar. On 11 minutes St. Alban's Steve Castle fired wide with a first time effort and a minute later Rayner nearly got onto the end of a Claydon pass, but 'keeper Duncan Roberts was alert to the danger and pounced on the ball. On 17 minutes A.F.C. snatched the lead. Ross Taylor won the ball in midfield and timed a excellent ball into Andy Claydon who ran through on the 'keeper and neatly slotted past Roberts. Almost immediately, A.F.C. went on the attack again, brimming with confidence against their high-flying Ryman Premier visitors. Taylor won the ball in midfield and found Terry Rayner who ran at pace into the St. Albans area only for Paul Betson to be adjudged offside. Aaron Gardiner then won a trademark midfield tackle to release Gary Bennett whose shot was blocked and cleared. Sudbury were dominating proceedings in midfield with Gardiner and Taylor outstanding as St. Albans failed to mount any real pressure for the Sudbury defence to handle. On 30 minutes their frustrations surfaced in the booking of Rob Smith for a foul on the speedy Terry Rayner. Corrie Campbell soon followed Smith into the book on 34 minutes. Into injury time in the first half and Oakes shot tamely wide for St. Albans, but it was the home side who earned a standing ovation as the sides left the field.

 

HT 1-0

 

St. Albans started well in the second half and put A.F.C. under increasing pressure. Andy Claydon almost released Terry Rayner on 52 minutes and 3 minutes later Ross Taylor again found Rayner whose shot ballooned high over the St. Albans goal. St. Albans were dominating and Sudbury forced to try to catch the visitors on the break. Ross Taylor shot well over on 61 minutes when well placed. De Souza delivered a dangerous cross on 63 minutes which was hacked clear by Howlett and then the experienced De Souza shot wide on 66 minutes. The midfield battle continued with A.F.C. defending in depth and the game entered its last 10 minutes with A.F.C. still holding the advantage, despite increasing pressure form St. Albans. On 83 minutes a dangerous ball into the area appeared to have been handled by Ryan Moran who turned well and struck a shot from close range into the goal. The referee allowed the goal and Moran was booked for taking his shirt off for the celebration which followed. Roberts, the St. Albans 'keeper, protested furiously and was lucky to escape a card. On 87 minutes a turn and shot in the area by Gary Bennett looked to be goal-bound but was blocked well. On 89 minutes Sudbury supporters' in the 800+ crowd were stunned when Miguel De Souza latched onto the ball in midfield and sent a fierce 20 yard shot high into the Sudbury net. Sudbury came back at the visitors with a late flourish, Gary Bennett having a shot brilliantly blocked and Lee Norfolk just wide with a free-kick after Andy Claydon was fouled on the edge of the penalty area. But it wasn't to be Sudbury's day. They had run the leaders of the Ryman Premier Division very close in a performance of which they can all be proud, and an F.A. Cup run in which they can also take great pride. We wish St. Albans well in the next round.

 

 

[Webbo MFI]

I prefer Awayday's version of events!!

[SAINTS64MAD]

their was only 702 people at the game.

[Webbo MFI]

hmmm....

 

I do wonder how they got 702. I never got a ticket!

 

and it's THERE not THEIR

[Rob_the_Saint]

And it's WERE not WAS. Otherwise perfect. <img src="/forums/images/icons/wink.gif" alt="" />

[Webbo MFI]

Must admit Awayday's report is "inspired" <img src="/forums/images/icons/smile.gif" alt="" />)

[SAINTS64MAD]

sorry guys