Chris Tracey and his Temporary Assistant Ian Manby

Again AFC travelled with an injury-ravaged squad but again they put on a fine performance to come away with all the points despite missing a first half penalty against the home side that ended the game with only nine players.

AFC manager Chris Tracey lost Rhys Darg and Ashley Sloots from his midweek side, but was able to welcome back Michael Shinn and James Smith.

Shinn took the captains’ armband and soon won his third toss of the season and AFC played against a strong wind in the first period. Danny Emmanuel had the first chance, one of many he was to have, and Williamson in the home goal saved it. James Baker then had a headed effort following a flick on from Ryan Henshaw after a Shinn corner.

Danny Gay was called into action after Berry crossed and the AFC keeper carried the ball out for a corner. The action was then concentrated on the Cheshunt penalty area; Emmanuel dazzled the home defence and fed the ball into the box where keeper Williamson fouled Baker. The referee pointed to the spot, but for some unknown reason no red card for what was surely an obvious goal scoring opportunity. Spot kick it was Baker took it but it was well saved by the home keeper.

Robbie Martin playing up front was cautioned for a lunging type tackle, his tenth booking of the season and it will mean a two-match ban starting in a fortnights time.

Cheshunt took the lead on twenty-eight minutes. Henshaw in trying to get the ball only succeeded in pushing the ball towards the AFC goal, Scarlett raced forward and slotted the ball home.

On thirty-six minutes Baker fouled Lumsden, the AFC apologized to him, however in clear sight of the referee the Cheshunt player laid his head into Baker. The red card given was not disputed and off trooped Lumsden head bowed.

Williamson pulled off a great save to deny Shinn whose fierce drive was finger tipped away. The keeper fell badly hurting his left arm in the process and it was to hamper him for the remainder of the game.

In the final couple of moments, Byles fired high over Gay’s bar and then Richard Howell had a shot that Williamson saved but showed the pain of his injury in doing so.

Half-time; Cheshunt 1 AFC Sudbury 0

The second forty-five minutes was sure to be crucial for AFC in their quest to make the top five at the end of the season, the players did not let their manager down.

There were only two minutes gone when they levelled, Shinn crossed from the right and found the overlapping left back Jemel Fox at the far post. The AFC man got in a shot from close range that Williamson got down well to stop, but not hold. The ball came back to Fox and he put it into the net.

It took a few more minutes of Sudbury pressure before they took the lead. Burgess gave the ball away and Baker took full advantage going into the box and around the keeper to slot home.

Cheshunt made a change with Bowes going off and Bricknell coming on before AFC increased their lead from the penalty spot and against nine men. A goal bound effort from Smith was handled by Berry and stopped the ball crossing the line, the Cheshunt man walked and Baker made up for his earlier spot kick miss and dispatched ball to make it 3-1.

Scarlett went off with McDonald replacing him as the nine men sort some sort of salvation. AFC had to replace Howell who picked up a hamstring injury, sixteen-year old Luke Nicoll taking his place.

Worth The Admission Money - Great Goal From Danny Emmanuel

Seventy-one minutes were gone when the Hertfordshire side made their last change bringing on Williams and taking off Ashwood. Seven minutes then elapsed before AFC scored again, and what a goal it was. Emmanuel who had been twisting and turning the home defence all afternoon, again went on a mazy run beating five players before unexpectedly unleashing a blistering shot from some distance that game the home keeper no chance. It was pity there was no action replay in operation as  it was a delight to watch.

Martin went off and Jacob Brown came on for the final ten minutes. Nicoll had a couple of good crosses from the right and Shinn had an effort well saved by the hampered keeper. Shinn took a free kick from the left and Smith got his head to ball, only to see it come back off the far post.

The two minutes of stoppage time were played out and AFC collected a well-earned three points to keep up their play-off challenge. They now have only Saturday games (weather permitting) to content with and manager Tracey will be hopefully of getting his injured players back and perhaps adding a couple for the run in.