A.F.C. Sudbury embarked on three successive home matches with the visit of Redbridge to the Mel Group Stadium

Redbridge kicked off the game attacking from left to right as viewed from the Brian Tatum stand. It was Sudbury who showed first with James Baker sending a ball from the centre of the park into Dave Wareham whose shot flew wide of the away goal.

A sixth minute free-kick delivered by Michael Shinn was met by the head of Taylor Sinfield, but easily gathered by a well-placed Elliot Justham in the Redbridge goal. Redbridge pieced together their first raid on seven minutes when Hyun-Ji-Lee broke along the right wing only to cross high and wide of the home goal.

James Baker received a fine pass from the left wing by Dave Wareham, but was unable to avoid the close attentions of the Redbridge defence who dealt with the growing threat. Baker then found space running through the centre and sent a dipping shot just over the crossbar.

Michael Shinn’s eleventh minute corner flashed dangerously across the Redbridge six-yard area. On fourteen minutes Justham rose well to gather Ryan Henshaw’s headed effort from another Michael Shinn free-kick.

James Baker received the ball just six yards out from Steve Wareham’s skilful run and his shot was brilliantly saved by Justham. Justham again denied A.F.C. Sudbury when Taylor Sinfield headed Shinn’s free-kick from midway in the Redbridge half towards goal.

On thirty-two minutes Sudbury finally got the reward their endeavour deserved. James Baker was again to the fore with another superb save by Justham denying him a goal. The loose ball fell to Dave Wareham who shot from just outside the penalty area and crashed home via the crossbar.

Redbridge mounted an immediate reply, but as the ball threatened to fall to an away striker, Nicky Eyre was on hand to snuff out the danger.

On thirty-seven minutes, Kyle Fraser-Allen’s mazy run ended with his shot from outside the home penalty area crashing off the crossbar and away to safety.

James Baker looked to be through on goal a minute later, but the ball was cleared with the Sudbury number nine claiming a shirt pull. Julian Ashby was booked for a foul before Danny Emmanuel broke free before sending his shot wide of the away goal with Justham again well positioned to minimize the risk. Sean Crossley became the second Redbridge player to be booked as the half ended.

The second half started with Justham punching clear a Michael Shinn corner kick and Fraser-Allen blasting high over the home crossbar. Redbridge started the half with purpose, but their chances of mounting a claim on the game were dealt a huge blow when Jonathan Glowacki committed a bad foul on Taylor Sinfield and was shown a straight red card.

Craig Arnott joined the list of sinners, shown a yellow card for the visitors on sixty-four minutes. A superb exchange of passes between Danny Emmanuel and Michael Shinn saw Sudbury close to opening a stubborn Redbridge back line, but the game at this stage was largely scrappy.

On seventy-three minutes, Dave Wareham made way for Josh Turner as Sudbury looked to make the three points safe. Turner’s first action was to be tripped by Kevin Coyle which earned the Redbridge substitute a booking. Turner’s influence on proceedings saw him exchange passes with James Baker. He crossed back to James Baker from the left and this time he crashed home the ball to double Sudbury’s lead with nine minutes remaining.

With four minutes left Sam Clarke was tripped in the penalty area by Jack Cawley and James Baker crashed home the penalty. Two goals was the least Baker’s efforts deserved and he was warmly applauded from the field when, with three minutes remaining, he was replaced by Liam Whittaker.

The game ended with Jack Wignall, a rock in defence all night, defeated by a terrible bobble, but McLeod, clean through, failed to capitalise. It got worse for Redbridge after the final whistle when Hyun-Jin Lee was sent off for arguing with the referee.

Report Courtesy of AFC Sudbury