Actonians 3 - 3 AFC Sudbury

Back to league action today as Sudbury visited Rectory Park. With some notable absences including Meila, Jennie and Camila the Actonians squad was a bit thin on the ground but would be encouraged by the return of Ale who was a substitute today.

A strong start for Actonians who had their first effort with 3 minutes gone when Jas saw her header go wide but then took a 7th minute lead. A superb free kick from Mara from far out beat the Sudbury keeper. Two minutes later Elisa made a brilliant save to protect that lead. Actonians should have doubled their lead in the 11th minute when Tori was sent through and after her first effort was blocked she hit the rebound wide. With 17th minutes on the clock Maria went on a run which started inside her own half but sent her shot from the edge of the area over the bar. On 22 minutes Tori headed the ball past her marker and beat her for pace and this time made no mistake with her finish burying her shot in the bottom corner to double the lead. Actonians carried on creating chances with Olivia having a 31st minute shot saved then sending Shakes through a couple of minutes later before her shot was blocked. Mara had another free kick saved in the 44th minute and on the stroke of half-time Tori’s shot was also blocked by the keeper. Another goal would have given Actonians some much needed daylight but it wasn’t to be.
Half-time 2-0.

Sudbury attacked as the second half began and it was only 3 minutes old when they pulled a goal back. Shakes had a 54th minute shot deflect out for a corner as Actonians looked to regain their two-goal lead but 2 minutes later Sudbury were awarded a very soft penalty which they converted to equalise. Actonians then went all out to retake the lead. Straight after the restart Maria ran through two defenders but her effort was blocked as was Tori’s shot in the 58th minute and Amber hit a shot wide in the 63rd minute. Then in the 67th minute Actonians were awarded a free kick on the edge of the area. Everyone was expecting Mara to take it after already scoring one and drawing a save out of another but this time Shakes stepped up. Her effort was on target but the keeper was only able to palm it away and Jas was on hand to finish off the rebound. Amber had three efforts saved in the 71st, 75th and 80th minute with Shakes close to getting onto the rebound of the last one. Tori ran down the right hand side in the 81st minute and fired her shot over the bar. Then in the 82nd minute Sudbury found their was through the Actonians backline to equalise again. After that it was the return of Ale when she replaced Shakes. Elisa made another great save in the 86th minute to prevent Actonians going behind for the first time and then back up the other end Maria’s shot was blocked and Jas hit the rebound wide but the scoring was done.
Full time 3-3.

A very entertaining game for the neutral but one on paper that Actonians should have won and also should have edged it based on the amount of chances created. However one point is better than none and a strong performance overall from a side missing some key players. Today’s player of the match was Mara. Had a solid performance alongside Isi and Jess in a back three but also for her overall play and the danger she offered at set pieces including her goal. Next week’s home fixture with be a tough one as Actonians welcome league leaders Wimbledon to Rectory Park on the back of their emphatic 5-0 win against Worthing but there have been many close battles between the two sides in recent years so Actonians will be up for the challenge once again.

Report and photo by Neil Hayward