Bards bag a point with changed side

AFC Sudbury 0

Stratford Town 0

IT was a much-changed Stratford side that made the long trip to Suffolk with central defenders Paul McCone and Chris Hussey both unavailable along with midfielder Dylan Barkers, reports Steve Wood.

This meant a recall for Alex Worley at left-back and with Dan Lafferty moving into midfield there was a 100th club appearance for right-back Dan Vann. Skipper for the day Lewis Ison and Liam Daly were the unlikely central defensive partnership.

And although there was to be no repeat of the 4-2 Bards when when the sides met at the Arden Garages Stadium earlier in the season, this draw at the MEL Group Stadium certainly felt like a point earned against a hard-working and resilient Sudbury side in a gale force wind and on a wearing, artificial pitch.

The early chances fell to Stratford with Ison’s long throws causing problems for the Suds defence. Jamie Molyneux shot wide from a Daly knock down and Callum Ebanks put an effort wide.

The home side were twice denied by the woodwork in the opening half. Firstly, from a corner, Malachi Napa fired against the upright and then, five minutes before the break, a flicked effort from Adam Mills following another flag kick scraped the top of the bar.

Boss Gavin Hurren was forced to make a change before half-time when Molyneaux failed to shake off an earlier knock and he was replaced by the effervescent Devonn O’Sullivan who caught the eye with his enthusiasm and positive approach.

The Bards switched to a 3-5-2 formation at the start of the second period to match up the home side and to negate Sudbury’s wide attacking options. That meant Jack Storer joined Ebanks up front and Worley moved into midfield. This had an immediate impact with Daly finding Ebanks wide on the left and his pass was picked up by Storer and his quick feet resulted in a snap shot which was followed up by Charlie Williams without causing Bradbrook in goal any real concerns.

At the other end, a fierce shot from Ben Hunter from the edge of the box was tipped over by Bards keeper Liam O’Brien.

The game was becoming an end-to-end encounter but without either side finding a finish that was going to open the scoring.

It did look as though the Suds might make the breakthrough in the closing stages, piling on the pressure as the Bards started to tire, and Vann, Daly and Ison were all called upon to make important blocks. Then, in the final minute, O’Brien saved sharply at his near post with his feet to deny the marauding Mills.

Sudbury: Bradbrook, Caley-Brown (Brown-Bampoe 70), Oluwatimilehin, Lewis, Dickens, Turner, Hunter, Neal, Napa, Mills, Dunne. Subs (not used): Tarpey, Cousens, Oteng.

Stratford: O’Brien, Vann, Worley, Daly, Lafferty, Solanke, Molyneux (O’Sullivan 42), Storer (Wildbore 79), Ebanks, Ison, Wiliams (Wilson 68). Subs (not used): Beresford, McKenzie

Referee: Craig Barnett

Att: 276

Bards Star Man: Dan Vann

Opposition Star Man: Adam Mills