AFC Sudbury: Dartford's gift can prove spur
"Sometimes these things galvanise you, and I hope that's what will happen over the rest of the season."
AFC Sudbury manager Mark Morsley reflecting on 'the goal that never was' in Saturday's home game against Ryman League division one north leaders Dartford.
Skipper David Head quite clearly prevented a half-blocked chip from Brendan Cass going into the AFC net in first-half stoppage time, only for Southend referee Graham Atkins to award a goal.
"That's the third big decision that has gone against us," said Morsley, the others coming in the FA Trophy and the promotion play-offs last season. "They say things come in threes, so let's hope there are no more."
Morsley joined the queue to speak to the referee as he came off the King's Marsh pitch at half-time, but then swiftly turned his attention to making sure the incident did not affect AFC's second-half performance.
"It's a credit to the management team that at half-time we got the players focused on the second half and their minds off the goal," he said.
"My reaction was one of shock and disbelief. There was no way he could have given a decision from where he was. It was a huge disappointment.
"I saw the Free Press pictures after the game, and the video by a Dartford fan on YouTube, and the ball clearly did not cross the line," he said.
"It's a great talking point, but it's a pity that the incident took some of the gloss off what had been a very good game between two entertaining teams."
The game brought two more goals for James Rowe, making it 22 in the league, and 24 in all so far this season. The goal for Cass took the division leading scorer's league total to 24.
"Rowe is having a good season," said Morsley. "It would be good to see other players weighing in with goals, but for various reasons some are going through barren spells at present. But that would only be a problem if we were't creating chances."
Nathan Munson played in the 1-0 League Cup quarter-final victory over Edgware Town on Tuesday as Dean Neil was cup-tied.
Neil will be back in goal on Saturday when Waltham Abbey visit King's Marsh (3pm), his last game before starting a five-match ban resulting from an incident at Brentwood in October when he was playing for Wivenhoe Town.
Munson will play while Neil is ruled out. Morsley had considered borrowing a keeper, and spoke to various clubs, including Ipswich Town and West Ham.
"We have some physical tests coming up, and bringing in a young, inexperienced keeper would have been too big a risk," he said.
"Munson's experience will be vital. He's played with the defence, he's a talker, and we know what he can do."
The draw for the semi-finals is made today. Ramsgate and Heybridge Swifts are also through, with the Carshalton Athletic v Walton and Hersham quarter-final set for next week.
Brett Girling is doubtful for Saturday. "He was my man-of-the-match against Dartford," said Morsley.
A Dartford fan posted a video on YouTube which also proves AFC were robbed - click here to watch it. “It was a great display considering he was on the treatment table the night before.”
Girling did not play against Edgware Town, and will have further treatment on a calf injury tonight.
Another doubt is David Head, who suffered a dead leg late in Tuesday’s game. “We will be checking that out on Thursday,” said Morlsey. “He is a supremely fit guy who deals well with injuries, but this is a worry.”
Matt Stace came back into defence on Tuesday and stays in the squad. Kevin Hughes is still ruled out with a hamstring problem, but should be available next week.
Rowe went off with a slight hamstring pull on Tuesday, but is expected to be fit to face Waltham Abbey.
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Weather for Sudbury
Thursday 09 February 2012
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: -1 C to 1 C
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Sunny spells
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