Soham’s winning-run ended by clinical Sudbury

Matt Simpson stoops to nod home his second goal against Dereham. (Image: Archant)

A sluggish start from Soham cost them dearly as they lost out to play-off rivals AFC Sudbury, on Tuesday evening.

The hosts were two goals up inside 26 minutes as Soham were slow out of the blocks and, despite a penalty for Joey Abbs, left themselves too much to do to get back into the game.

It was a first defeat in five for Steve Fallon’s men after a surge in form over the festive period and sees them slip back into ninth place in the Ryman League Division One North.

The Greens will be looking to get back to winning ways again on Saturday as they travel to mid-table Waltham Abbey.

Ollie Berquez put Sudbury ahead in the 13th minute as the hosts made a fast start, with the lead doubled barely 10 minutes later by James Baker.

Soham halved the deficit in the run up to half-time though, as Joey Abbs slotted home from the penalty spot.

But the Greens were again caught out early on in the second half as Kris Newby restored Sudbury’s two-goal advantage in the 51st minute, putting the match beyond Soham.

Fallon’s side came into the Sudbury game in super form, having beaten rivals Dereham Town 2-1 at Julius Martin Lane, on New Year’s Day.

After a strong start, it was the visitors who opened the scoring inside 20 minutes, with Dan Murphew smashing home from close range after slipping his marker at a free-kick.

But Soham hit back minutes later through Matt Simpson, the front man heading home a cross from Joey Abbs.

And things quickly got better for the Greens, with Simpson again on the scoresheet in the 33rd minute, pouncing on a half-cleared ball to poke home from inside the area.

It was Soham’s fourth consecutive league win and was their best run of form of the season so far after a lacklustre November.