Ridgeons League First Division

Saturday 9 February 2008

Walden bounced back from last weeks defeat against Tiptree to steal the points at Godmanchester Rovers on Saturday.  Man of the match Tom(rico) Richardson headed home the deciding goal to push Walden up the league into third place.

Greg Strongs well placed free kick in the opening minutes found Richardson rise above the Hares defence to head into the arms of Armitage. Walden then stuck to their passing game and Strong tested the home goalie with a fierce swerving free-kick that Armitage held to deny the Bloods a goal. A six man passing move from the heart of defence started by Alex Riches with a pass to captain Tommy Butchart, who jinked round two defenders to set up a one-two between Vallis and Strong.  Greg Strongs flicked onto Ryan Cannon who delivered a perfect cross onto the head of the unmarked Richardson, who beat the Hares goalie with a looping header to put the Bloods in the lead. 0-1 (38minutes)

 Richardson was elated with his goal and he sprinted half the length of the pitch to milk the applause of the travelling Walden supporters!  From the restart, the Hares forced their way through the “Walden Wall” with some tough tackling that saw five of their players booked.

Bass tested the Walden defence with a curling corner kick that Lewis had to be alert to collect at the near post.

 In the second half, Walden started to dominate the play and Strong curled in another free-kick onto the head of Richardson who rose above the Hares defence with a powerful header that skimmed the cross bar.  On the hour the Bloods came close with a goalmouth scramble that saw Ben Riches shot parried by Arbitrage onto the foot of Strong who sliced a shot that was cleared off the line by Nixon. Later, Greg Strong cut inside his marker and  placed a cross at the feet of Vallis whose swerving volley was saved by the relieved Armitage.  Kingham should have wrapped the game up when he was set clear by Riches only to shoot wide of the exposed goal.

Godmanchester replied with their only shot on target in the second half, when Thompsons fierce free-kick was gathered by Lewis to keep the spoils and maintain Waldens target of a top three position.

 Seven of Walden’s young squad players have worked their way through the Academy so the Clubs strength in depth is finally bearing fruition with Richardson’s extra fitness regime paying dividends by gaining man of the match award.

 Team  E.Lewis, Z.Collins, R.Cannon, A.Riches, M.Danbury, T.Butchart (capt), K.Vallis (J.Murphy), S.Kingham, B.Riches (M.Clark), G.Strong (J.Solken).

Subs not used D.Pledger. D.Badcock.