Still missing a number of players for various reasons AFC went into this game with young trialist David Lorimer up front alongside debutant Chris Sullivan. There was another trialist Joby Thorogood in the centre of midfield, while Gary Bansor was playing in central defence.

The Witham pitch was in good condition and showed no problems despite the torrential rain it had taken during the morning.

The first quarter of an hour was fairly quiet with both sides attacking equally but with the home side seeming intent in letting their higher league opponents know they were there. The refereeing was certainly not up to the standard AFC would expect in the Ryman League with many silly challenges missed.

Danny Gay was called into action midway through the half when he came out strongly to punch away the ball hoisted into the box but he was rarely troubled. Just past the half hour mark Jemel Fox was alert to get  across the goal line to clear away a shot from a Witham forward.

AFC were using the ball well on the break, with Robbie Martin doing well on the right hand side, and also slotting back to defend in the right back area when needed. Sullivan had a shot then Lorimer got on the end of a Fox cross but it went wide.

On thirty-nine minutes AFC went in front. Thorogood of whom little had been seen previously clipped the ball forward and found Lorimer who neatly beat his defender and as the keeper advanced chipped the ball over him into the back of the net. His debut goal for AFC. The same player did well a few minutes later when he rose well with the keeper following a Wareham cross and was unlucky not to get his header on target.

Goalscorer David Lorimer

Half time; Witham Town 0 AFC Sudbury 1

The second period saw Fred Howe take over in goal from Gay, and a few minutes later Michael Shinn had to be replaced by Adam Holmes after suffering a achilles niggle. The change meant reverting to a 4-4-2 system with Fox playing at the heart of the defence.

AFC continued to play at a fast pace but were at times guilty of being slack in defending and giving away some cheap free kicks.

Dave Wareham put in two or three good left wing crosses but each time there was nobody to connect with them. On seventy minutes Danny Emmanuel took over from Thorogood who had really not shown a great deal, but it is not easy only having met team mates just prior to the game.

On Trial Joby Thorogood

On eighty-five minutes came the last change of the game for AFC, it saw a Grassroots player come on, in the shape of sixteen-year old Luke Nicoll to play out the final five or so minutes during which he acquitted himself well.

From Grassroots Luke Nicoll

So a win and another clean sheet.

There is of course room for improvement.

YNOT