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Sunday 30 October 2005 West Surrey Youth League U16 Cup
The game was played with a strong wind blowing straight down the pitch. The previous game on this pitch saw the team attacking the wind enjoy more possession and goals. So it proved in this match. AFC's strength and skill coming to fore in the second half to put a valliant effort by Links out of the Cup.
AFC almost got off to a flyer when a Tom Sanders effort in the first minute flew just wide of the upright. The goal of the game and probably the season came in the 14th minute, Jamie Henley received a back pass well inide his own 18 yard box, he found Jordan Cheadle with a huge clearance, Cheadle played a lovely cushioned header back to Sanders who hit it with venom on the volley from in excess of 35 yards over the top of the keepers head, for a cracking strike. The remainder of the half saw a close affair with AFC struggling to cope with the wind, often over hitting the final ball.
Links got a lifeline in the 42nd minute when a deflected shot beat Henley. Immediately from the kick off AFC made amends with James Bailey lobbing the keeper from just outside the box, 2-1 AFC. Callum Turner almost added another two minutes later when his 25 yarder went just wide of the post. There were further efforts for Cheadle, Jason Chapman and Luke Pigden. A change in formation and better use of the wind saw AFC wrap up the game when Bailey scored three further goals in the 63rd, 74th and 82nd minute.
A convincing win, but still only a 3rd gear performance. It wasn't til the later stages of the match that the performance took some shape.
The match was marred by a shocking late and over the top challenge on Sanders who had to go off. We wish Tom well with a speedy recovery. It is understood that he may have a chipped bone, but the Doctors also found out that he has been playing with a broken toe for 3 or 4 weeks!
