Match Report - Harleston Town vs AFC Sudbury Reserves

Harleston Town vs AFC Sudbury Reserves

An unbeaten AFC Sudbury Reserves were the visitors to Wilderness Lane on Saturday in what turned out to be an eventful game!

Town were without the injured Cheese, the suspended Willis and the unavailable Sam Borrer but there was a welcome return for Nathan Page who was back after from a spell travelling Europe and he took his place on the bench.

Both sides started the game tentatively with neither side able to dominate the opening exchanges. It was Sudbury who had the first real effort on goal, a shot from outside the box which failed to trouble Pauling in the Town goal.

Town then started to exert a decent spell of pressure with Baker cleverly setting up Roberts whose chipped effort was gathered by the Sudbury keeper. Roberts then had a 30 yard drive off target before the best chance of the game came and went as a cross from the left from Delaney reached Stone at the back stick and he hit the post and was unable to bundle home the rebound which was smothered away.
Sudbury’s young team continued to pass the ball around nicely and broke quickly in numbers and it was from a lively counter attack that they were unfortunate not to take the lead when a shot cannoned back of the crossbar and to safety!

Roberts then should have done better from a close range header after Salih had put an inviting cross into the box. Harleston weren’t showing the same intensity as they have been in recent games and paid the ultimate price two minutes before the break as an excellent passing move cut through the midfield and defence and a decent finish across goal led to the opener.

The half ended with Roberts hitting the wall from a 25 yard freekick after Roe had been bought down on the edge of the box following some neat build up play.

A disappointing first half but one Town were unfortunate to be behind in at the break.

Town started the second half with much more purpose and tempo in their play but failed to capitalise from a couple of half chances and dead ball situations in dangerous areas. On 55 minutes the goal that had been threatening finally came. Roberts was the creator with an excellent ball over the top of the Sudbury defence and Baker showed superb anticipation to get a toe to the ball ahead of the keeper and guide into the net.
From this moment onwards Town were constantly pressing and it was one way traffic. Baker and Roberts had efforts blocked, with the latter raising a handball shout that was waved away by the well placed referee, Adrian George.

The Sudbury defence remained resilient and were working tirelessly to keep Town at bay. With 15 minutes remaining Camish replaced Baker and immediately he was in the thick of the action, charging down a short back pass and offering a real threat in behind with his direct running.
It was he again who was played through and he got his head to the ball but the Sudbury keeper was quick of his line and charged down his attempt.

Delaney hit tamely when well placed in another opportunity that came and went for the home side. The goal that had been coming eventually did and it was an excellent team goal. Page neatly played a ball into Camish who made good progress into the box before playing into Stone who calmly and unselfishly laid across to Roberts, who clinically fainted to shoot before passing the ball into the opposite corner with his left foot in the 88th minute.

Pauling, who had earlier gone down injured had to make way and Cook donned the gloves, with Howell taking his place.
Howard was then unlucky with a headed effort and Camish worked an opening expertly, evading three Sudbury challenges but his effort from inside the six yard box was brilliantly saved by the Sudbury keeper, Whiteman.

Then four minutes into injury time, following a rare Sudbury foray forward a throw in was won! Town failed to deal with the long throw and the ball reached a Sudbury attacker whose mishit effort was easy for Cook to gather but somehow he failed to hold on and Sudbury were able to bundle over the line much to their delight.

Unbelievably there was still time for a home winner. Roberts’ Freekick made its way to Salih but he failed to connect properly when well placed from 12 yards and his tame effort was held by the away keeper.

Undoubtedly two points dropped for the Magpies, who put in an excellent second half display following a below par first. Numerous chances came and went and the equalising goal was certainly unfortunate but that is football!

Credit to Sudbury who stayed in the game and played some good football with Crane and Hammett particularly impressive – we wish them well for the remainder of the season and thank them for cleaning the away team dressing room after the game.

Next week we face a tricky fixture away at Fakenham Town. We hope to see you there to support the lads as we aim to get back to winning ways! Up the Magpies!