Line up: Marcus Mehew (C), Herbie Ellis, Billy Jordan, Ethan Oldman, Max Crane, Warren Buckman, Mitchell Jackson, Josh Yaxley, Charlie Atkin, Oscar Manly, Ollie Griggs
Bench:, Ewan Parlett, Jonathan Shannon, MacKenzie Travis, Elliott Young

The U23s were second best at the start of the fixture, unable to match the speed of thought and action of their hosts. Manager, Neil Smye, was forced into an early change when MacKenzie Travis replaced the injured Oscar Manly. Despite their early dominance the home side failed to test Marcus in the U23 goal and it was only the award of a penalty that gave them their first opportunity to have a shot on target. An opportunity that they took in the 20th minute to lead by a goal. Falling behind seemed to have little effect on the visitors and they continued to perform below par. It was therefore no real surprise when the U23s fell further behind 10 minutes later when a shot/cross was turned in from close range by an unmarked striker. As the end of the half was drawing near the U23s were awarded a free kick in the centre of the goal about 25 yards out. The direct shot was partially blocked and ETHAN OLDMAN was the quickest to react firing the ball into the net.

Half Time: AFC Sudbury Reserves 2 – 1 U23s

The U23’s second half performance was much improved but still failed to produce the quick interchange of passes that had been evident earlier in the season. In an even half neither goalkeeper was called into action until late in the half when the U23s looked to have fought back to earn a point, with MITCHELL JACSON scoring from a free kick from a similar position to the one he had taken in the first half which had led to Ethan’s goal. Unfortunately the hope that the game would finish all square were dashed almost immediately when the AFC Sudbury Reserves substitute scored with a free header at the near post. The remaining U23s substitutes were all brought into the action during the second period.

Full Time: AFC Sudbury Reserves 3 – 2 U23s

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