Starting Line-up: Marcus Mehew, Cameron Rayworth , Billy Jordan, Ethan Oldman, Matt Mullis, Ben Batho, Reagan King, Munashe Chirimuuta, Josh Yaxley, Charlie Atkin, Ollie Griggs
Bench: Ashdon Fowler, Kian Wilson, Darius Petrea, Warren Buckman, Thomas Stacey

Saturday saw the reverse fixture of the first home game of the season back in August when the U23s were on the wrong end of a 7-0 scoreline. This was the fifteenth time since 2014/2015 that the sides had met with the Reserves/U23s recording just the one win in the previous fourteen meetings. That was a 5 – 3 home win in 2016/2017 when the goalscorers were Joe Marsden 2, Byron Lawrence, Connor Hubble and Adam Blades. The only other points won have been from four draws, the last of which was in 2019/2020.

Four of the cup tied players who missed last Saturday’s win against Haughley United in the CNet Training Suffolk Senior Cup came into the side. The impact of one of them was almost immediate as having won the penalty with a determined run into the home penalty area CHARLIE ATKIN got up to score convincingly from the spot to record his 10th goal of the season.
As you would expect from a Dave Cannon lead side, AFC responded well to going behind but a mixture of excellent U23s defending and poor finishing meant the home side were unable to get back on terms. At the other end the visitors never really tested the home goalkeeper but were doing enough to keep the home defence on their toes.

Half Time: AFC Sudbury Reserves 0 – 1 Leiston U23

Similar to the start of the first half the U23s were the first to score shortly after the re-start. A short corner routine on the right was followed by an excellent cross into the home penalty area which evaded everyone except ETHEN OLDMAN who met it with a glancing header to put the U23s two goals ahead and to score his first for the team. The pattern of the first half was repeated with AFC probably shading the possession but coming up against a resolute U23 defence. A defence which started from the front with the home defenders put under pressure deep in their own half. That said, Marcus Mehew was forced into making two or three excellent saves which maintained the two goal advantage. At the other end Ollie Griggs cut in from the left and his right foot shot looked bound for the top left hand corner but a superb save saw it turned behind for a corner.

Full Time: AFC Sudbury Reserves 0 – 2 Leiston U23

This was an excellent win on the road and the first time a Reserve/U23 side had kept a clean sheet against AFC Sudbury reserves.