Following a successful victory against Cambridge last week, AFC looked to continue a winning run this week against Huntingdon. Huntingdon have had an inconsistent season and produced some shock results, including the 1-1 draw at home to AFC earlier in the season, with this in mind AFC would have to be on top of their game.

The match produced a scrappy affair from the outset with AFC struggling to cope with the tall Huntingdon centre forwards, with Huntingdon playing the ball over the top every time.  AFC struggled to get in the game and with 20 minutes played they went a goal behind when stand in keeper Kayleigh Steed was forced to close down the centre forward who was clear through on goal, despite Steed’s efforts the ball was slotted into the net. AFC were producing little in the final third with their narrow shape allowing Huntingdon to break up the play with ease. Sudbury saw a rare chance in front of goal squandered with Mills unable to get a cross under control before firing wide.  Huntingdon were unlucky not to extend their lead when they caught the Sudbury defence napping to allow their striker clean through with only the keeper to beat, fortunately for AFC the strike went well wide of the post.  AFC could have levelled shortly before the half time whistle with Sharp able to create a space to shoot in the box, only for the shot to tamely find its way into the keeper’s grasp.

Half time score: AFC Sudbury 0 – 1 Huntingdon Town.

After a thoroughly poor half of football, Sudbury would need to vastly improve in the second half in order to get anything out of the game. With 5 minutes of the half played AFC changed to a 4-4-2 and began to see an improvement in retaining the ball and applying the pressure in the Huntingdon half.  Despite their mounting control over the match Sudbury remained frustrated in front of goal, as Huntingdon’s keeper pulled out a number of saves and remained the best player on the field. With 15 minutes left to play AFC got their equaliser. The goal came from Jodie Sharp who latched onto a ball in the box to slot past the keeper. AFC looked the most likely to score in the closing stages of the match with two decent penalty shouts not given and Natalie Golding’s close range effort being deflected out for a corner. In the closing moment of the match Huntingdon were able to break and pose their first real attack of the second half, AFC were able to scramble the ball away and ensure they held onto a draw.

Full time score: AFC Sudbury 1 – 1 Huntingdon Town.

A thoroughly frustrating match for AFC who failed to capture a performance anywhere near their best, although a better second half performance gave them a point from a match they should have been capable of winning.

Next Sunday the AFC ladies will require a vast improvement as they take on league leaders Gt Shelford, who are yet to drop a point in this league campaign. The match will take place at Delphi with a 2pm kick off.