Nathan Clarke Scored At Both Ends!!!

A brace of first half goals was enough for AFC to make it five consecutive league victories and it looked as if they were going to make it the same number of games without conceding a goal. But in the final minute Nathan Clarke, who had opened the scoring for AFC with his sixth goal of the season, put through his own net to give the hosts a consolation goal.

But for some poor second half finishing AFC would have won by a far greater margin that their dominance deserved.

This was the second visit to Scraley Road this season. The first was in the League Cup when AFC won by the only goal of the game. At that time Heybridge were in a poor run of form. But since then they have improved and they went into Saturday’s match on a four match unbeaten run which included three victories.

With midfielder Robbie Martin serving a one match ban manager Chris Tracey was forced into a change and Richard Howell came in, otherwise it was the same eleven that started the previous game.

Sudbury started brightly but the first good chance fell to the home side after 17 minutes when Jack West broke clear but lost his footing as he was about to shoot.

Two minutes later Sudbury broke the deadlock when Nathan Clarke headed home at the far post from Michael Shinn’s free kick.

Sudbury went on to dominate but did not increase their lead until first half stoppage time. Richard Howell broke into the home penalty area and appeared to have been fouled but the ball broke to Danny Emmanuel who fired low into the net to give the visitors a two goal lead at the break.

Half time: Heybridge Swifts 0  -  AFC Sudbury 2

Early in the second half a chance came to the home side when Tom Broadhurst raced towards goal but keeper Danny Gay was quick off his line to make a fine block.

AFC then enjoyed a great spell of attacking play. David Wareham forced home keeper Jason Willis into a fine parrying save before AFC created three more good chances in quick succession. First James Baker failed to hit the target with a header from a right wing cross and then the same player beat his marker and rounded the keeper but then he trod on the ball and fell with the net at his mercy and a defender got back to clear. Another right wing cross found Wareham unmarked in front of goal but he headed over the bar.

Five minutes from time Kevin Hawes replaced Howell and he set up Wareham who brought another fine save from Willis.

Just when it looked as if AFC were going to keep another clean sheet the home side scored a last minute consolation goal when Broadhurst’s shot was turned into his own net by Nathan Clarke to give him the distinction of scoring for both teams on the day.

This was the first goal that AFC had conceded in 475 minutes of league football and it set up an anxious four minutes of stoppage time. But AFC held on for a deserved victory that sees them retain seventh place in the league table.

Pat Arbon