AFC Sudbury 2-6 Thurrock

Ryman North

by Jack Staplehurst

 

Thurrock held onto third place with a comfortable win at AFC Sudbury to claim their first away league victory in almost a month.

Fleet have been more comfortable playing at Ship Lane in the early stages of this campaign but have enjoyed a steady enough start.

However, the visitors feared their recent poor away form may be continuing when they fell behind immediately at Sudbury. The hosts broke down the left wing straight from kick-off and the cross was fumbled by keeper Andy Walker to allow Kris Newby to net and mark a calamitous start.

In a bid to halt the away trend from continuing, Thurrock fought back quickly and within five minutes were level through a Rob Clark cross-come-shot which picked out Ross Wall.

A real piece of class turned the game around for Thurrock when Charlie Stimson executed a delicate chip over the helpless Sudbury keeper to give Fleet the lead at the halfway stage.

The second half brought about a barrage of goals as Thurrock took their momentum forward. Brad Warner controlled inside the box and steered the ball into the corner, followed shortly after by Wall’s second as he held the ball up before working an opening and firing home.

A three goal advantage was unobtainable for Sudbury but they pulled one back through a Correy Davidson header. Although, a minute passed before Fleet made it five as Rob Clark drew the defenders to lay in Warner to mark his brace.

The successful away day was completed 20 minutes from time when Luton Town loan man Mark Onyemah clipped in from an extremely tight angle to secure a comfortable win.