Town Down Sudbury - Downham Town vs. AFC Sudbury Reserves

Sun through the trees at Memorial Field

A couple of weeks ago I wrote about missing out on a game at Downham Town, well the weekend just gone, I made up for that misjudgement. Town were at home to AFC Sudbury Reserves in The Eastern Counties League First Division. This was not my first time of seeing a first team against a reserve team. A couple of seasons ago I saw New Bradwell St Peter host Chesham United Reserves in The Spartan South Midlands League Division One match. Going even further back, one of my first ever games was between Scunthorpe United Reserves and Bradford City Reserves (I think) at Quibell Park, where the stand has now been demolished. Downham were looking to avenge a four nil defeat earlier in the season at The Wardale Williams Stadium back in October. I had visited this ground for a Ryman League fixture against Chatham Town in what was my first venture into East Anglia for a game.

Pre game coin toss at The Memorial Field

Both sides win early free kicks in decent positions but neither set piece seriously troubles the defences. Downham take the lead around mid way through the half when the Downham forward is first to the loose ball and he powers through the tackles and slots the ball home past the Sudbury keeper. The home side double their lead shortly afterwards when the ball is headed home powerfully from a corner kick. Sudbury then break quickly as they look to get back into the game but the final effort is dragged wide of the target. The Downham player then wins the loose ball again and fortunately this time his cross come shot goes just wide of the post. The Sudbury keeper is then forced into a good save from a Downham free kick to keep his side in the game. Sudbury finish the half strongly and the forward should get more on his header from a promising cross. As the half draws to a close, the visitors are able to break out again but there is a similar outcome as the eventual effort is dragged wide.

2-0 Downham. The clubhouse is in the background to the right

Sudbury start where the left off in the second half and it takes a great tackle to prevent them being through on goal. The Sudbury right winger then does get through on goal but this time his shot is blocked. Sudbury get the early goal they are looking for when a long range shot leaves the Downham keeper wrong footed and flies into the back of the net. The visitors now push for the equaliser and they are left frustrated when there is no one there to put the finishing touch to a great ball in to the area. The Downham keeper then makes a fantastic save to preserve his sides lead as he makes a great low save from a close range header following a Sudbury free kick from out wide. Sudbury are going all out for an equaliser and as happens so many times, they are caught out on the break. The Downham players break out after a Sudbury attack and a good set of passes results in the ball being slid in at the back post. In the closing stages, Downham have a fourth ruled out for offside but they see out the remaining minutes to claim a 3-1 home win.

Sudbury winger attacks in the first half

Downham is easy to reach from London. Trains to Downham Market depart every half hour from Kings Cross and the journey takes an hour and a half. As the name suggests, Downham is a market town and there are a lot of independent shops in the centre which makes a change. Just away from the town centre is The Live and Let Live which is an excellent pub for watching the early kick off. For a relativity small place there a lot of hotels in Downham and you can pop in to a couple of the hotel bars on the way to the ground. The bar wasn't open when I got to the ground which left me a little concerned but when it did open it had the usual selection of drinks. On the way back to the ground I popped in to one of the many hotel bars - The Crown Hotel - which was needed to warm me up. At the station is The Railway Arms which doesn't open until six but is worth getting a later train for. Overall, I really enjoyed my trip to Downham, the town and the club were fantastic.

The open touchline side of the ground