Following last week’s disappointing performance, AFC Sudbury Ladies made the long away trip to Fakenham in search of a better performance against a team ranked higher than AFC in the league.

AFC made a bright start to the match but conceded early on from Fakenham’s first corner of the match, slack marking allowed a free header on goal that left stand in keeper Chloe Mills no chance. Despite the early set back, Sudbury were a team hungry to make amends for the performance of last week. Kayleigh Steed nearly produced an instant reply to Fakenham’s goal with a glancing header, but the keeper was able to make the save. Moments later however, Steed was involved once again when her pass through to Jodie Sharp cut open the defence, leaving Sharp to calmly slot the ball across the keeper and into the net for the equaliser. Sudbury were combining well on the pitch with the left wing pairing of Charlotte Churchman and Jodie Sharp being particularly effective. Emma Squirrell was also proving difficult for the Fakenham defence to subdue, a point proved when Squirrell powered a left footed shot into the net, only to be disallowed for a marginal offside decision. With half hour played, Sudbury deservedly took the lead. Kate Baker played the ball into Natalie Golding, Golding’s ball forward sliced open the defence to once again find Jodie Sharp who once again slotted home from close range. AFC were using the width of the pitch well and their work ethic on and off the ball was pleasing on the eye and effective in keeping possession and sustaining the attacking pressure. Sudbury scored their third when Emma Squirrell latched onto a ball from Jess Shepherdson and after shrugging off the defender was able to blast the ball past the keeper. Sudbury were able to protect their lead and go into half time with their two goal cushion in tact.

Half time score: Fakenham Town Ladies 1 – 3 AFC Sudbury Ladies.

The second half saw Fakenham try and force their way back into the match, Sudbury however were equal to the Fakenham pressure and as a result little occurred for much of the second half as the teams battled for control of the game. The match however opened up with 70 minutes played when following an AFC corner, Fakenham were able to hit on the counter attack and win a penalty which was successfully netted. Having scored Fakenham were back in the game, but Sudbury produced the perfect response with a goal to restore their lead 2 minutes later. Kerry Humphreys was the provider as her ball into the box found Emma Squirrell, who was able to turn in the box and roll the ball past the keeper. As the game entered into the later stages, play became stretched from one end to the other as the game became progressively more physical. Sudbury should have put the game to rest with 5 minutes remaining when Natalie Golding linked up with Emma Squirrell in the box, whose shot went over the crossbar. Fakenham had chances of their own in the final minutes with Charlotte Golding making an important block at the post and the subsequent run of corners resulting in a Fakenham header going narrowly over the crossbar.

Full time score: Fakenham Town Ladies 2 – 4 AFC Sudbury Ladies.

An impressive and cohesive team performance saw Sudbury take away a deserved 3 points and get themselves back to winning ways. Next Sunday however sees Fakenham make the return journey in the hope of overturning the result of last Sunday. The fixture will take place on the MEL group Stadium pitch this Sunday with a 2pm kick off. Admission will be free.