A.F.C. Sudbury entertained Tilbury, early pace-makers in second spot in the Ryman League Division One North boasting a 100% record in their two matches. An unchanged A.F.C Sudbury starting eleven took to the MEL Group Stadium on an afternoon threatening heavy showers between the bursts of warm sunshine.

Tilbury kicked off the match with Sudbury defending the town end of the park. Tilbury were awarded an opening minute free-kick for a push, Bradley Barnes delivering the set-piece which was easily cleared by the home defence. Sam Clarke released a fast-moving Dave Wareham into the Tilbury penalty area, but the Sudbury winger was offside. Kevin Malthouse slung a deep cross from the right through the eighteen-yard box, but there was no Tilbury forward on hand to cause a fright to the home defence.

Danny Emmanuel Went Onto Win Man Of The Match Award

The best move of the game thus far came in the ninth minute. Danny Emmanuel’s strong run through the centre saw him pick out Dave Wareham on the left. Wareham’s first time shot blistered its way across the six-yard box with neither side able to either shoot or clear the ball. Wareham was again wide with a first time effort on 12 minutes, this time a supremely executed pass from Michael Shinn set up the attack. On eighteen minutes, Danny Emmanuel was fouled on the edge of the Tilbury penalty area and Michael Shinn’s free-kick was punched clear by James Marrable in the Tilbury goal. James Baker then stole into the Tilbury penalty area and laid the ball back to Michael Shinn whose curling effort went wide of the right hand post.

Emiel Aiken broke free on twenty-five minutes and managed to go around Sudbury ‘keeper Danny Gay. His cross was gratefully cleared up-field to where Dave Wareham was able to flash a cross through the visitor’s penalty area, again with no Sudbury player able to capitalize. At the other end the pleasing quality of the match continued with Tilbury captain Gary Henty forcing a superb save from Danny Gay leaping low to his right. James Baker headed over the crossbar from another Shinn free-kick following a foul by Conor Mead. Tom Devaux seemed to lay a back-pass into Danny Gay on thirty-eight minutes, but the Sudbury ‘keeper punted the ball back into the Tilbury half without censure.

Danny Emmanuel passed towards James Baker whose shot on the stretch lifted the ball over the crossbar. Richard Howell appeared to be tripped in the penalty area on forty-one minutes, but this highly entertaining half ended goal-less.

Half Time; AFC Sudbury 0 Tilbury 0

Sudbury started the half with purpose, Richard Howell shooting wide after just a minute. It was the visitors who finally broke the deadlock on fifty minutes. Emiel Aiken broke free through the centre and Sudbury failed to clear their lines on two occasions. The ball finally fell to Bradley Barnes who slammed in the opener. Danny Emmanuel responded with a fine run and cross which was gathered by a leap by James Marrable ahead of the marauding Dave Wareham.

It was Danny Emmanuel who proved the architect of the Sudbury equaliser. His superb run at the heart of the Tilbury defence saw him hold the ball up before releasing Richard Howell. Howell sent a blistering shot into the net to level the tie. The match was end-to-end with both sides committing men to attack. Robbie Martin did especially well to clear off the home goal-line with a header on the hour before Paul King headed home unmarked to restore Tilbury’s lead.

Robbie Martin was booked for a foul two minutes later and Tilbury took off the inspiring Emile Aiken to be replaced by Jack west. It was the Danny

Richard Howell Two Goal Man

Emmanuel and Richard Howell combination on sixty-nine minutes which restored parity. Howell slamming hone from ten yards with a swerving shot which left Marrable mesmerized. Mbiyeye Meding was almost away from the centre-circle, but a superb stopping tackle by Nathan Clarke stopped his attack in an instant. Nathan Clarke was on hand once again to deny another strong run from Gary Henty as the game hung in the balance.

James Baker appeared to be pushed in the penalty area with twelve minutes left, but play continued. Sudbury replaced goal-scorer Richard Howell to warm applause with Chris Sullivan taking to the park. David Lorimer replaced Dave Wareham with a couple of minutes left as both sides continued to attack. Chances were at a premium as Sudbury pressed hard for another late winner, but the whistle sounded on a highly entertaining 2-2 draw between two sides that look to be impressive outfits.

Richard Whiting

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