This Sunday AFC Ladies welcomed Taverham to Delphi. With Sudbury having lost their only home game of the season, Sunday’s game saw them try to get their home form back on track. Sudbury’s manager Clive Golding was away for the match and AFC Sudbury 1^st team player, Jemel Fox stepped into the role.

Playing in the unusually hot conditions for October, stand in manager Fox had clearly done his research on Taverham and set Sudbury up in a 4-5-1 formation, wary of the long ball game played by Taverham. Taverham’s long ball tactics were highlighted in the opening kick of the game as they looked to put the ball over the top of the Sudbury defence; however the Sudbury defence were alert to the danger and cleared their lines. With only 3 minutes on the clock, Sudbury had their opener in the match. Good combination play between Natalie Golding and Emma Squirrell saw Sudbury penetrate the Taverham box, with Natalie Golding able to complete the move with a sleek finish. AFC were in impressive form and as the half progressed they looked even more adept, especially with Kerry Humphreys having a phenomenal game playing just in front of the defence.  With 22 minutes played Chloe Mills, sent an excellent ball through the flat footed Taverham defence to find Natalie Golding who slotted home from a tight angle after her initial shot was parried by the keeper.  The Taverham defence was once again sliced open on the half hour mark, this time by Chloe Mills whose solo run from half way resulted in her finishing with the outside of her boot low to the keepers right.  A mere 7 minutes later Emma Squirrell released Chloe Mills from half way in what was a near identical goal to the previous goal moments earlier.  As the relentless pressure on the Taverham goal continued Kayleigh Steed was unlucky not to score when her excellent volley was turned round the post.  A corner taken by Natalie Golding just before half time, gave Chloe Mills her well deserved hat-trick as she directed the ball into the net.

Half time score AFC Sudbury 5 – 0 Taverham Ladies FC.

The second half kicked off with the Charlotte Churchman taking over in goal from Natalie Curtin. With a five goal cushion and in control of the game, AFC could afford to drop down a gear in the searing heat that was undoubtedly testing the players’ endurance. Despite a drop in the intensity of the game, Sudbury were producing some of their best flowing moves so far this season. On the 64^th minute AFC were awarded a free kick on the edge of the 18^th yard box. Jodie Sharp laid the ball off to Natalie Golding whose strike went through the wall before nestling into the bottom left hand corner of the goal to complete her hat-trick. Kate Baker made an instant impact from the bench when she netted her first goal for AFC. The goal came as a result of great one-two play between Steed and Golding with the resulting cross finding Baker in the box. In the 77^th minute Jodie Sharp netted from a Natalie Golding corner delivered to the back post. Before the 90 minutes were out Sudbury had further opportunities to score with Mills being denied twice late on in the game by the keeper.

Full time score: AFC Sudbury Ladies 8 – 0 Taverham Ladies FC.

The win was comfortable for Sudbury with the defence rarely under any pressure leaving the keeper in each half little to do. As a team, AFC combined well and showed what a good football side they can be and the danger they possess when going forward as a unit. Stand in manager Jemel Fox can be pleased by the performance the players produced under his leadership.

Next Sunday AFC travel away to Great Shelford, who currently top the league having only conceded two goals and yet to drop a point. Kick off 2pm.