AFC crashed to their biggest defeat of the season and with other results not going their way they dropped out of the play-off places to eighth spot. But the match was much closer than the score suggests with Chris Tracey’s side having plenty of the play but failing to make the most of several good scoring opportunities coupled with Ryan Burridge in the home goal making numerous good saves.

Conceding two goals from two soft penalties in the first quarter of the game did little to help AFC’s cause and when the hosts added a third goal before the break it was always going to be an up hill task for the Suffolk side.

Tracey was forced to make one change with defender Ashley Sloots joining the injury list, Richard Howell replaced him in a reorganised AFC formation.

In a match in which there were few tough tackles a finicky referee managed to book nine players, five from the home side. This did little help the flow of the game and left players and fans of both sides somewhat frustrated.

AFC started brightly and David Wareham brought a fine save from Burridge before James Baker headed just over.

Potters Bar took the lead against the run of play from their first real attack after 13 minutes when James Gershfield scored from the penalty spot after going down under the challenge of Jemel Fox. It seemed a harsh decision, as did the second penalty when Bradley Harrison went down after a challenge by Nathan Clarke. Gershfield scored his second from the spot to double the hosts’ lead.

At the other end Michael Shinn came close for AFC when his fierce shot was tipped over by Burridge before the home keeper made an even better save going full length to keep out Baker’s header.

AFC fell further behind on the half hour when a quick Potters Bar counter attack resulted in Elvis Balic scoring from close range after a goalmouth scramble.

Just before the break AFC were forced to make a change when the ever- present Wareham limped off with a hamstring injury, he was replaced by Kevin Hawes.

Half time: Potters Bar 3 AFC Sudbury 0

Early in the second half AFC keeper Danny Gay did well to keep out an angled shot from Tom Pett before AFC dominated in terms of possession but were denied by some fine defending before James Baker reduced the deficit after 66 minutes with an unstoppable shot.

Two minutes later AFC created a great chance to reduce the deficit to one but Burridge kept out Richard Howell’s effort with a reflex save. Had that have gone in the result might well have been different.

In the closing minutes, Luke Nicoll replaced Richard Howell and Jacob Brown took over from Sam Clarke and with Sudbury going all out on attack, the hosts twice broke to add further goals.  The dangerous Gershfield completed his hat trick from Pett’s cross to restore their three-goal advantage and in the seventh minute of stoppage time Gay saved well to deny Gershfield. But the ball broke to Matt Clifford who fired into the empty net to give the hosts a flattering score line and end a disappointing day for the Suffolk side.

So on Tuesday and Leiston in the Suffolk Premier Cup Quarter Final.

Pat Arbon