AFC travelled to Kent to take on Chatham Town after a break of nineteen day, and they took all three points back to Suffolk after a comfortable 3-0 victory.

Manager Chris Tracey included new signing Danny Charge in the starting line-up and the recovered from injury Jon Docker on the bench.

The weather was a mixture of a strong blustery wind and light showers throughout the game and the conditions did play a significant part in proceedings.

AFC kicked off playing into a strong cross-field wind, and Sam Clarke was soon in the action as he Tilley clashed in midfield with the Chatham man staying down after the challenge. The referee decided there had been nothing untoward, but perhaps he remembered it minutes later.

New boy Charge put the ball through to James Baker and with Clarke going on an overlapping run, chose to shoot at goal himself, but it went wide. It was fully eight minutes before Gay in the AFC goal touch the ball such was possession the visitors had. Dave Wareham back in the starting eleven had a shot tipped over after Baker had helped on a long Gay clearance.

The referee’s memory soon found Clarke’ name on it, and after a rather tame tackle his name was in the book after only ten minutes. Chatham’s Hales soon joined him after Clarke himself went down as he was careering forward.

James Baker Netted 19th Goal Of Season

Baker flicked a free kick just wide before AFC went ahead on seventeen minutes. Richard Howell, playing a midfield role got the ball forward to the goal bound Charge and as he reached just inside the penalty area Hill brought him down. The referee gave the spot kick, no red card, not even a yellow? James Baker took the penalty kick, but slipped slightly as he struck it and goalkeeper Roberts was able to parry the ball, fortunately Baker followed up to score.

Chatham replied with Barton crossing for Potter to he goalwards but the ball was clutched safely in Gay’s arms. The wind was causing both sides to play some misplaced passes but AFC were the better of the sides and looked comfortable.

Charge who was looking lively and a good addition to the squad, had a shot from outside the area, something that AFC have been guilty of not doing in recent games, unfortunately for him Roberts saved.

Sam Clarke - Booked And Scored

AFC went two goals up after thirty-eight minutes and what a good goal it was. Howell was again involved chasing through a long ball that seemed destined to go out of play, he however stretched far enough to pull the ball back to the far post where the in-rushing Sam Clarke rose magnificently to head home.

In stoppage time Wareham cut in from the left and let fly with a right-footed shot that was only just wide of the post.

Half time; Chatham Town 0 AFC Sudbury 2

The second period started with Chatham replacing Potter with Solly and then Tilley having a shot that gay parried out to Blackman but the forward could only fire wide.

AFC looked as though they might increase their lead but Wareham had a fierce shot that only bulged the side netting.

James Smith - Impressive Performance

The home side playing with the wind at their backs now were more in the game but the AFC defence well marshaled by the impressive James Smith alongside Nathan Clarke were solid.

Michael Shinn in his role in front of the back four was able to play ball out of the danger areas and the men around him were benefitting from his experience.

Chatham did have a chance on sixty-two minutes when Ashley Sloots got back to fend off Tilley and Gay came out well to kick the ball clear. Davis was substituted by Lawrence as Chatham looked to increase their attacking options. For the next ten minutes or so the game was somewhat tame, with Chatham making their last change with Barton leaving and Watson arriving.

Danny Charge - Good Debut

The points seemed wrapped up for Sudbury, however with ten minutes left manager Tracey made a slightly defensive change, with Emmanuel replacing the tiring Charge. The new man had done well on debut considering his time out from the game at this level.

The icing on the cake came in the second minute of added on time when Dave Wareham got a long a waited goal after Howell had intercepted a defensive cross field ball and fed the Sudbury wide man who fired home with gusto.

A good comprehensive victory and three well deserved points as the play offs remain in AFC own hands.