AFC went into this game with a couple of injury problems that meant Chris Tracey had to make changes to his side. Both Jon Docker and Richard Howell were sidelined and that meant a reshuffle and playing at least to start with a 3-5-2 formation, including two sixteen-year olds on the bench.

In the end the result was the one that was needed, with a goal in each half seeing AFC climb up the table albeit only one place.

The home side started brightly and had a shot following a free kick that was deflected for a corner by Sam Clarke making his 150^th appearance for the club.

Robbie Martin was rather harshly booked when he pushed Blessing as they chased for the ball. The offence was highlighted by the home forward running into the metal surround only a couple of feet away from the sideline. It was the AFC mans’ fifth booking of the season and he will now serve a one match ban starting in a fortnight.

In the sixteenth minute Rhys Darg playing in an attacking midfield role went on a darting run and earned a corner on the right. Dave Wareham took he kick and there was Darg flying in unmarked to head powerfully home.

Midway through the half Sam Clarke put in a great cross-field ball and Wareham let rip with Madden tipping the ball over the bar. Martin was fouled by Stevenson and was the Ware man received a yellow card for his trouble.

AFC were playing some neat football on a pitch that was extremely bobbly and David Lorimer played a good ball to Michael Shinn who fizzed in a good ball that Darg headed only just wide.

There looked to be problem when Ryan Henshaw, making his 50th appearance for the club, back headed the ball and it looked as though Blessing would get away but he recovered well to clear.

Three minutes from the break Martin used his pace and trickery to get away on the right and to get a cross in with the ball just eluding the in-rushing Lorimer.

Half-time; Ware 0 AFC Sudbury 1

The first quarter of the second period of was a rather scrappy affair, with both sides having half chances but nothing that worried either goalkeeper. On fifty-six minutes AFC made the first change of the game with Lorimer being replaced by Ashley Sloots and the side reverting to a 4-4-2 formation.

On the hour mark there was a collision between Sam Clarke and Beckles both got up and the AFC man was pushed in the chest and onto the ground by the Ware defender. It earned the home man a booking. From the free kick taken by Shinn the ball went into and out of keeper Madden’s hands and was bundled into the goal by Nathan Clarke. There were protests by Ware but the goal stood.

The Ware skipper Crace got in a shot that was deflected over and from the corner he headed just over the bar, before they made a change with Weekes taking over from Stevenson. Martin for the home side shot wide after receiving a good ball in the box.

Ware received another booking when Shinn put Martin away and Adeoye fouled him. Martin then had a well-drilled shot that was deflected wide for a corner.

With ten minutes left Ware were reduced to ten men. Beckles prevented a through ball with his hands and received his second yellow and then red card. They made another change with Blessing leaving and Adebiyi coming on.

Darg had another chance with a header being tipped onto the bar with nine minutes to go, and then he left the field with Danny Emmanuel taking his place.

Luke Nicoll - Competitive Debut At 16

The game was petering out but in stoppage time there was moment that sixteen-year old Luke Nicoll will never forget when he came making his debut for the last few moments taking Robbie Martins position.

It was three points in a game that was not the greatest, but it was three deserved points and means another place climbed in the table.