Sunday saw 4^th placed Sudbury make the trip to league leaders Gt Shelford. Sudbury knew they were up against a good side that had yet to drop a point and conceded only 2 goals in 5 games.                                                                                                                                             Shelford started the much stronger side and with only 10 minutes played, Sudbury were left off for some slack marking when a shot from the edge of the box sailed narrowly past the post. Despite this early let off, less than a minute later Sudbury found themselves conceding an unfortunate penalty for handball which was taken well and Shelford had taken an early lead. Shelford were firmly on top in the match with pacey wingers and quick passing cutting through the Sudbury lines. With 15 minutes gone, Sudbury nearly found themselves conceding another goal from careless marking on the edge of the box, with another shot from the left going close once again. Sudbury did however succumb to their poor efforts in tracking back players on 17 minutes, Shelford’s pacey number 7 picked up the ball in midfield and was allowed to run into the box unchallenged before squaring the ball to the back post where a simple tap in was had by an unmarked player. There was very little respite for the Sudbury defence as Shelford piled on the pressure with Sudbury struggling to retain the ball long enough for a compelling attack of their own. Charlotte Churchman in the Sudbury goal kept the score down with two good saves with half hour played. Churchman was however powerless to stop Shelford’s third goal on 37minutes. The goal once again was created by Shelford’s number 7 whose pace saw her run clear of both Sudbury’s midfield and defence, where this time she was able to finish her run by scoring herself.  Sudbury, 3 goals down, finally began to find respite and began to push Shelford back by getting the ball into dangerous positions in and around the Shelford area. Despite Sudbury’s renewed energy the half was to end with them having only created a few half chances in the match so far.

Half time score:  Gt Shelford Ladies 3 – 0 AFC Sudbury Ladies.

The second half kicked off with Sudbury playing with a sense of urgency and passion that had developed late on in the first half. Despite Sudbury’s growing dominance in the game on the 55 minute mark they were caught on the counter attack and Shelford’s number 9 found herself free on the edge of the box, where she was given enough time to get her shot away that left second half keeper Ellie Marshall no chance. Sudbury went close with half an hour remaining as great work down the left saw Jodie Sharp cut inside where her shot went narrowly over the crossbar. As Sudbury pushed for a goal they conceded a dubious penalty with 30 minutes remaining, Shelford scored from the spot for the second time in the match. Sudbury looked certain to pull a goal back on 65 minutes when Chloe Mills rounded the keeper in the box, however a defender made it back in time to block the shot on the line.  On 70 minutes, Sudbury finally scored a deserved goal when Jodie Sharp once again picked up the ball out on the left, this time she fired her left footed shot into the back of the net.  The remainder of the match saw Sudbury as the team on the attack as Shelford’s performance began to fall away, however Sudbury failed to make the most of their chances with no more goals scored.

Final Score: Gt Shelford Ladies 5 – 1 AFC Sudbury Ladies.

A much improved Sudbury second half performance can be taken as a positive against a much superior team in the form of Shelford, who on current form look likely to be at the top of the league come the season finish. Sudbury can also take heart from the fact they scored against the league’s best defence and had further chances to do so. However the match also showed the improved level of opponents that Sudbury face following their promotion, and that simple mistakes playing in this league will be punished by the opposition.

Next week Sudbury look to overturn a loss to Norwich City Reserves in the cup when Norwich visit Delphi in a league match. Kick off 2pm.