Tragedy hit within the first few minutes of this the Reserves first game of their pre-season campaign when Andy Fisher very cruelly broke his leg in a challenge for the ball with a Needham defender; with both players going for a 50/50 ball. An ambulance was called with the AFC man being made as comfortable as possible by our new physio Kim Sayers and the Needham physio; Fisher was taken to hospital in an ambulance that arrive within a short space of time.

The game restarted nearly an hour later with young Jonathan Moore coming on and going upfront alongside Ryan Kent, whose movement proved a problem to the home defence. At the other end Needham were coming forward in numbers and Chisholm and Adams, who showed some  commanding presence, had to be on form to blunt them.

It was taking AFC a little to settle following Fisher’s injury but midway through the first half Ifield put in a good run and cross but the ball just evaded the incoming Thurgood. It was the home side who were the more threatening and had more control of the midfield and their passing was better, although there were some nice moves from Brown, Sharp, Ifield and Thurgood, as the first period came to an end.

Half Time: Needham Market Res  0  – 0 AFC Sudbury  Res

After the break sixteen year old Daniel Smith came on for the tiring Kent with Thurgood going forward  and he put in a good shot five minutes after the restart following good work from Brown, Ifield and Moore. The latter had a shot saved a little later from an accurate ball from Sharp.

AFC were coming into the game more, with Smith competing well in the centre of the park but Needham were also dangerous with fast strong breaks. Cullivan had to make a telling tackle to prevent a goal scoring opportunity, while Sudbury had two shots themselves blocked from Ifield and Thurgood.

Ben Bolton came on for Chisholm and was soon in the action getting in the a good shot that had to be saved by the visiting keeper, who had to make another save close in from a header a few minutes later.

The home keeper was also brought into the action saving well from a powerful header from Adams after an Ifield free kick. With about ten minutes remaining Guyon was on for Thurgood and he made a couple of posing runs at the home defence but in the dying minutes it was Needham who nearly scored the winner if it hadn’t been for a stopping tackle from Adams.

A draw a good result in the circumstances but Needham were the better and more dangerous side but there were some useful performances from the Sudbury lads.

The Wizard Of Oz