AFC Manager Greets New Signing Adam Dalby

This was a low key game in which both managers made full use of their squads. AFC manager Chris Tracey gave a debut to Adam Dalby recently signed from Ely City and started with David Lorimer up front. Rested but on the bench were Robbie Martin, Danny Emmanuel and Richard Howell. Steve Adams was not risked as he has a slight niggle.

AFC started with Dalby playing alongside Nathan Clarke and with Dave Wareham having a free role behind the front two. Dalby showed early on that he is an assured defender when he got in a fine block tackle to deny Broadhurst. The home side had to make an early change with Toner coming on with Pond injured.

James Baker had a shot go wide from a Wareham cross and a few minutes later Lorimer was in a good position but slipped at the vital moment. He was again on the ball from a Wareham run but he did not trouble the home keeper.

It was a cup-tie that was lacking any real passion, but AFC were producing some great passing football and were mostly denying the home side possession of the ball.

Danny Swain was working energetically in midfield and Michael Shinn and Sam Clarke were always available to ping the ball about finding Ryan Henshaw in the right back position on a number of occasions.

The half ended with neither goalkeeper having been troubled.

Half time; Heybridge Swifts 0 AFC Sudbury 0

Four minutes after the restart Wareham crossed from the right hand side and Baker headed the ball down and goal ward but Northwood saved and conceded a corner. The Sudbury front man was then booked for what looked an innocuous tackle. It seemed the referee was ‘looking’ for the AFC man after an earlier spate.

Heybridge made their second change with Moore leaving and Foulkes coming on, before Toner had a shot for them that was well wide of Gay in the AFC goal. Their Nathan Clarke crossed and Hawkins was denied by AFC’s Nathan Clarke just getting his head to the ball.

Just after the hour mark Heybridge used their third substitute when Gray came on and the youngster did well for the time he was on the pitch.

Sloots was withdrawn with twenty minutes to go and Adam Holmes came on. Wareham crossed from the right hand side and Baker rose well at the far post and headed the ball, but unfortunately it went right across the goal and out by the near post. It was the best chance of the match.

On seventy-eight minutes Swain left to be replaced by Martin. He was to be the catalyst that changed the course of the game. Just three minutes after his introduction he cut in from the right hand side after intercepting the ball and fed James Baker who took the it in his stride and then shot low passed Northwood to give AFC the lead.

Lorimer who had battled well up front picked up a knock and Craig Calver took over with eight minutes left during which time and the three added minutes AFC safely saw the game through.

It was not the greatest game of football but AFC showed that they can pass the ball on the floor and it was a in the end the right result. AFC’s newest recruit showed that he has got what it takes and other given a chance gave the manager food for thought.