After sustaining two successive defeats, Sudbury Ladies took to the road with renewed optimism of getting a result against an unknown entity in the form of Cambridge Women’s Reserves. Sudbury were able to welcome Chloe Mills, Kate Baker and Kerry Humphreys back into the fold after all 3 were absent from last weeks defeat, however a number of injuries left the manager with a squad of 13 to travel with. With AFC having never met Cambridge reserves before, manager Clive Golding instructed his team to focus on playing their football as they searched out their unknown opponents for the first time. With a goalkeeper yet to be found, defender Natalie Curtin took up the role between the posts as Sudbury reshuffled the team into a 4-5-1 formation with Jodie Sharp spearheading the attack.

Last week’s match saw a calamitous opening for Sudbury with 2 goals conceded in the first 5 minutes; however this week they started much brighter and were the team on top posing a threat in attack. Sudbury could have been 3-0 up early on with chances falling for Jodie Sharp, with an excellent long range effort dipping just over the bar and a close range effort on the turn going narrowly wide of the post. However despite a number of chances, the score remained goalless and Cambridge looked to be getting more of a foot in the game, leading to Sudbury reverting back to a 4-4-2 formation. In their attempt to create chances Cambridge looked to work the ball down their left, where arguably their best player on the pitch was operating, but Jess Shepherdson at right back was having an excellent game and kept Cambridge’s number 6 at bay.  Shortly before half time AFC executed a brilliant counter attack move to take the lead. Charlie Warren picked up the ball on the edge of her own box and a sweeping move saw only three passes needed to reach Natalie Golding on the edge of the opponent’s box. Golding’s shot was well saved by the keeper but the rebound was swiftly followed up by Jodie Sharp for her first of the match. The last action of the half however resulted in Natalie Curtin being called into action with a quick reaction save from a close range header off a Cambridge corner.

Half time score: Cambridge Women’s Reserves 0 – 1 AFC Sudbury Ladies.

Sudbury took a lead into the half time break, but with Cambridge showing flashes of danger late in the first half the second half would require Sudbury to maintain their concentration. The second half saw Sudbury re-assert their dominance in the game with the defence remaining tight and the team working the ball forward well. Sudbury doubled their lead on the 60^th minute with a superb corner delivered to the front post where Charlotte Warren was able to chest the ball past the Cambridge keeper from close range. Sudbury were proving dangerous on the counter attack with Natalie Golding unlucky not to score from a ball crossed into the box from the left hand side finding her in space on the edge of the box. However with 70 minutes played, Cambridge succumbed to AFC’s counter attacking strength once again. Emma Squirrell held the ball in the midfield before dispatching an excellent ball out wide right to Natalie Golding. Golding’s cross found Sharp on the edge of the box who took the ball well on the bounce to fire home her second of the match. Sudbury remained on top for the remainder of the match with Cambridge getting a rare chance in the last seconds of the match. A shot across the goal into the top left required a fantastic save from the out-stretched arm of stand in keeper Natalie Curtin, who produced some excellent saves during the match and keeping a well deserved clean sheet.

The match finished with a comprehensive 3-0 win for Sudbury in what was a solid performance throughout the team. The win sees the team return to winning ways, after the two previous disappointing results, with a performance that manager Clive Golding labelled their best of the season so far.

Next up for the ladies is a home fixture at Delphi this Sunday 2^nd October where they take on Taverham in a 2pm kick off.