This was a game that AFC had won a minute after half time when they went 3-0 up, but the young visiting side had other ideas and showed fighting spirit to come back and earn a deserved victory.

AFC showed some good quality football in the opening twenty or so minutes and showed why they are joint top of the table.

AFC went in front on twenty-four minutes with a well rehearsed free kick routine. Steve Chisholm flicked the ball over the defensive wall, it was fed to Scott Hunt who scored from close range.

Halstead replied with a couple of attacks of their own before in stoppage time AFC scored their second. David Lorimer took the ball on and along the by-line and netted near to the post.

Half time; AFC Sudbury Reserves 2 Halstead Town Reserves 0

The second period was less than a minute old when Lorimer got his second of the game after flicking home  a good cross from the right hand side by Lee Ifield. Straight from the kick off Halstead went up field and Bradley Dix scored.

Ryan Kent Scored

With ten minutes of the half gone AFC went three goals ahead again when Ryan Kent shot home.

So 4-1 up and most in the MEL Stadium would not have given the visitors any hope, their players thought otherwise and then scored four goals in the next ten minutes. Scott Davis scored after keeper Barry Twinn fumbled, then Danny Swain conceded a penalty, that Gary Davis netted from the spot, Ellis Carter scored to level things up after again the AFC custodian appeared to drop the ball. The winner came when AFC central defender Taylor was beaten by Ellis Carter down the middle and he shot home.

AFC made two changes Taylor being replaced by Sam Cullivan and Dan Smith taking over from Mark Theobald who had just been booked.

AFC had a couple of chances as time ran out and the Essex side took the three points home with them. It was a deserved win after AFC looked to have the game sown up, the Halstead youngsters did not buckle and fought hard.