This game was sponsored by Great Waldingfield Garages Ltd
A.F.C. Sudbury welcomed Woodford United to the King’s Marsh for the final home game of the season. Tradition was upheld with Great Waldingfield Garages sponsoring the game including the fifth Annual Schools Penalty Competition. In attendance was England 1966 hero Martin Peters whose autograph was in great demand.
Woodford United kicked off the match attacking the old clubhouse end of the ground. Sudbury were first out of the blocks with a neat back heel by Craig Calver releasing Jemel Fox on the left wing. Just unable to bring the ball under control, his cross drifted behind for a goal-kick. Sudbury’s bright opening was maintained when Gareth Heath had a shot blocked from just outside the penalty area and then a fine ball from half-way swung from the left wing by Craig Hughes reached Curtis Haynes-Brown. His cross found Craig Calver whose pass towards Gareth Heath was hurriedly cleared up-field.
On ten minutes Curtis Haynes-Brown launched a trademark long throw into the Woodford penalty area which was reached by a leaping Danny Brown. Matthew Finlay in the Woodford goal, covering his goal well, stretched to his right to make a comfortable save. Another sweeping pass from Craig Hughes saw the ball switched from central midfield into the path of Jemel Fox. Fox got into the Woodford penalty area, but was dispossessed and fell with a hopeful glance at referee Tyne. On fourteen minutes Curtis Haynes-Brown launched another fine high ball into the path of Danny Emmanuel whose run took him into the right edge of the penalty area. His cross whipped dangerously across the area, but there was no-one on hand to get a boot on the ball.
On twenty minutes Nicky Gordon poked a speculative effort towards A.F.C. Sudbury Supporters’ Player of the Year Richard Wilmot who was perfectly positioned to make the save. A minute later at the opposing end, Curtis Haynes-Brown found space to send a perfect cross into Gareth Heath standing unmarked in the centre of the Woodford penalty area. The Sudbury captain controlled the ball and drilled in the opening goal. Woodford’s first corner came on 26 minutes, Tom Fountain heading Neil King’s delivery wide of goal. King’s free-kick on the half-hour was headed towards goal, only for Richard Wilmot to tip the ball over the bar with a superb save.
Nathan Clarke had to leave the action with substitute Ryan Henshaw taking his place. Sudbury soaked up some Woodford pressure which posed little in the way of a goal threat before they created a guilt-edged chance of their own on half-time. Danny Emmanuel crossed from the right into an unmarked Jemel Fox who decided on a first time shot from eight yards which ballooned high and wide of the goal when maybe he had time to take a touch and then to shoot.
H-T 1-0
A.F.C. Sudbury again started well with Daniel Emmanuel’s cross finding Gareth Heath whose first time effort went over the crossbar. Danny Brown sent a fine ball to the right wing and into the path of Danny Emmanuel. His cross looped behind the goal. Emmanuel then found Craig Calver whose turn and shot produced a fine save from Finlay. Woodford were committing men forward and on sixty-seven minutes Gareth Heath had to be alert to head back to Richard Wilmot when under severe pressure.
On seventy-one minutes Tom Fountain found space on six yards and pulled another classy save out of Richard Wilmot. Two quick Woodford corners were finally dealt with by the home defence when Sam Clarke coolly headed the ball back to Richard Wilmot as the away side were enjoying more of the ball. Curtis Haynes-Brown was replaced by Shane Barnes and Danny Emmanuel made way for Stuart Walker as Sudbury rang the changes. On seventy-four minutes Woodford grabbed the equaliser in controversial circumstances. Nicky Gordon poked a loose ball home after what appeared to be a clear foul on Richard Wilmot in the home goal. A minute later and a clearly rattled A.F.C. Sudbury almost fell behind when Gordon turned and fired a low shot past the post.
Sudbury continued to press for a winner with Stuart Walker busy along the right wing, but the Woodford defence held firm and referee Tyne sounded time on a 1-1 draw and the action for the 2009-2010 season.
