Arlesey Town round-up It was 10th time lucky for Danny Honeyball on Tuesday night as he recorded his first victory as Arlesey Town manager. Following draws in Honeyball s first three games in charge, the Blues had lost five in a row in the Ryman League Di

Arlesey Town round-up

It was 10th time lucky for Danny Honeyball on Tuesday night as he recorded his first victory as Arlesey Town manager.

Following draws in Honeyball's first three games in charge, the Blues had lost five in a row in the Ryman League Division One North.

Added to being knocked out of the Ryman League Cup, it was nine matches without victory before their 2-0 win at Witham Town.

The Blues included three new signings in defender Matt Waldron, midfielder Shane Brown from Bedford Town and striker Lloyd Opara.

All impressed on their debuts, but it was keeper Jake Whincup who proved to be the star of the show with a string of fine saves in the second half when the Blues came under the cosh.

First-half chances were scarce with the game being largely fought out in midfield.

Imedudia Okojie saw a corner from the left bounce off the top of the crossbar to safety and the Arlesey wide player saw another effort pushed to safety by the home keeper.

The only other effort of note was a header by Tom Beech that was narrowly off target, as the visitors had failed to make a wind advantage work in the first 45 minutes.

Witham sensed their chance after the interval but the Arlesey defence stood firm.

In the 62nd minute, the Blues took the lead as a move started from a left-wing corner from Honeyball that was cleared to him for a second attempt. This time his cross was converted by Beech from close range.

Renewed attacks by the home side failed to find an equaliser and in the 89th minute, George Fowler broke from defence to drive the ball into the corner of the net.

This gave Arlesey their second victory over the Essex side this season having already notched a success in the Ryman League Cup at the Chateau Roux back in November.

Blues: Whincup, Waldron, Clarke, Edwards, Honeyball, Brown, Hall, Fowler, Beech, Opara, Okojie.

Subs: King, Tekell, Lewis, Kubgyir, Howard.

Saturday's 2-0 home defeat to AFC?Sudbury had been their fifth league reverse in a row.

The match did not finish until 5.12pm as in the 62nd minute, referee Knowles sustained an ankle injury and was forced to retire.

With no other qualified official in the ground, the senior assistant took over in the middle and the final 28 minutes were played without a linesman for the Sudbury attack.

Before this incident, Arlesey were trailing by two goals and did not look likely to engineer a way back.

The home line-up included one new face in the shape of midfielder Ryan Hall and Matthew Clarke returned from a spell in the United States to take up a position on the left of defence.

The opening exchanges suggested a drab affair.

In the 10th minute, a run down the left from Okojie ended with a shot into the side netting.

The only other incident of note came from Sudbury's Boardley whose smart shot on the turn produced a fine save from Whincup.

Sudbury took the lead in the 29th minute as Tracey, in acres of space on the right, crossed for Smith to volley home.

It looked like being two minutes later when Heath shot from long range but somehow Whincup produced an astonishing save to push the ball to safety via the crossbar.

Ashley Townsend missed the chance of the game when the Sudbury rearguard left the clearance to one another only for the Arlesey forward to shoot wide of an open goal.

Whincup again saved Arlesey when he was harshly adjudged to have fouled Driver only to save the resultant spot-kick from Head.

In the 49th minute, Sudbury scored their second when Rowe easily beat Whincup with the home cover sliced open.

Clarke then cleared off the line as the visitors threatened to increase their lead.

Ibrahium Kubgyir replaced Townsend in the 58th minute.

After the referee was forced to leave the field, the various officials consulted the rulebook and the game resumed 20 minutes later.

The pattern did not alter despite the forced rest and Arlesey did not look like scoring.

Indeed when Rowe outpaced Honeyball, Whincup made another fine block to prevent a third.

Blues: Whincup, Honeyball, Clarke, Reed, Tekell, Hall, Lewis, Fowler, Beech, Townsend, Okojie.

Subs: Kubgyir, Chung, King, Howard.