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Under 11s : 2007-2008

Cambridge and District Colts

Match Reports

WILL-POWER SEES WALDEN THROUGH

CAMBS & DISTRICT COLTS U11
KNOCKOUT CUP 2ND ROUND

Saffron Walden 5 v 2 Buckden Juniors

A resilient and powerful performance from the Walden under 11s was
deservedly rewarded with progression into the 3rd round of the Knockout Cup on a glaringly sunny morning.  Saffron Walden started well with some neat passing moves trying to prise Buckden's defence open, whereas the visitors were more reliant on long balls trying to outwit the home back line.

In the 14th minute, Daniel Page played a smart ball into the inside
right channel to Will Clark who used his strength to get past the left
back and slot the ball under the keeper to give Walden the lead. The Bloods continued to create chances, Charlie Pitt hit the post from
a sharp angle and Daniel Murphy-Moore was clear through only to be
denied by a fine diving save.  

Andrew Smith in goal for Walden was called into action with a number
of solid saves as Buckden picked up the pace in search of an equaliser
before half time.

The second half opened with a determined Buckden side, they came close to levelling when an attempt hit Smith and the post before being
cleared off the line by Oliver Lewis. However 2 goals on the 33rd and 37th minutes put the away team ahead. The 40 plus crowd started to wonder whether Walden could respond. They certainly could! Alex Hancock struck a shot over the Buckden keeper's outstretched hand and into the net on the 39th minute, soon after Will Clark regained the lead for Walden when he bundled the ball over the line.

Buckden were close to equalising when a striker went through but his
shot went just wide. On the 55th minute Walden were awarded a freekick 5 yards inside their own half. Jed Butler clipped the ball behind the Buckden defensive line for Murphy-Moore to run onto and score the 4th. Will Clark was on the end of Liam Coles corner to glance in a fine
header on the near post for his hat-trick. A very strong performance from Saffron Walden, showing superb tenacity  especially when they went behind early in the second half. Lets hope  this form continues next week when they travel to the league leaders, Withersfield.

Attendance 45

10 MAN WALDEN DO EVERYTHING BUT WIN

Grampian Gunners 2 v 2 Saffron Walden
16 December 2007

Down to only 10 players, due to illness and injury, and playing on the
biggest pitch in their history Saffron Walden produced an outstanding
display of hardworking and creative football which should have resulted
in a comprehensive win but instead ended in yet another draw - their
sixth of the season.

Against the run of play, Grampian took the lead after 19 minutes with
their first shot of the match. Despite this setback Walden continued to
force the tempo, the visiting supporters thought Charlie Pitt had
equalised when he fired into the back of the net but the offside flag
had been raised.

Walden deservedly drew level when Liam Coles struck a shot from the
left edge of the box that looped over the keeper and in. Moments later
Daniel Page shot was heading into the top corner of the net, this time
however the keeper's outstretched fingers tipped the ball over the bar.

A storming end to the first half carried over into the second period
but yet again Waldens dominance was turned upside down when a poor
defensive clearance allowed The Gunners to take the lead within 5
minutes of the restart.

Saffron Walden showed great fighting spirit, defying their reduced
numbers, and were literally all over the home team with wave after wave
of attack with some excellent passing moves creating chance after
chance.

The equaliser came from a rare mistake from the home keeper when he
spilled a shot and Charlie Pitt pounced to tuck the ball home.

The game was becoming stretched as Walden went for the winner, giving Grampian the chance to break in numbers against a 3 man defence of Jed Butler, Hayden Plumb and Oliver Lewis who tackled fiercely and ran themselves into the ground to keep The Gunners at bay.

At the other end goal mouth scrambles, double saves, goal line
clearances, hand ball shouts and offsides thwarted Daniel Murphy-Moore, Alex Hancock and Will Clark who were combining with increased fluency and understanding as the game went on.

A tremendous display that would have resulted in victory with a little
more composure and luck in front of goal.
 

WALDEN UNDER 11s BATTLE THROUGH IN CUP

Saffron Walden 1 v 0 Cherry Hinton Lions (AET)

Cambs & District Under 11s Knockout Cup First round

2 December 2007

The weather conditions were truly awful, but the driving rain couldn’t dampen the enthusiasm and hard work on display from the first whistle to the last, and although there were few clear cut chances the sheer character and grit shown from both sides created a fantastic cup-tie.

Walden produced the first shot on target when Daniel Page’s effort was pushed round the corner by the visiting keeper. Page was at the end of a nicely manufactured corner move but his shot was comfortably saved this time.

The Lions were confident on the ball, with some excellent passing ending in a shot that skimmed past the post with an inch to spare, and Walden were close to going behind when a visiting striker looked sure to score but Andrew Smith took care of the danger with a solid stop. 

Harry Clark and John Griffin patrolled the midfield snuffing out most of the Lions moves, while centre halves Jed Butler and Hayden Plumb were making some excellently timed challenges to intercept the majority of the passes up to the forward line.

The ball was wet and muddy, but that didn’t seem to bother the Lions keeper when he clinged onto a skimming cross with a fingertip as Alex Hancock looked to capitalize. 

Both sides needed the half time whistle to snatch food and drink to build up energy after a tight first period and for what was to come in the second. 

Walden were finding it difficult to breakdown a well-organised  defence, but gradually they began to make headway, with Daniel Murphy-Moore starting to jink, twist and turn the fullbacks inside out to create chances, his first saved and his second firing into the side netting.

Liam Coles terrorised the Lion’s right back last Sunday, but this week he was fully immersed in the midfield battle that was engrossing the rain soaked 40 plus crowd. Andrew Reynolds in an unfamiliar right  back position showed some great anticipation with numerous blocks  and tackles, while in the left back position Oliver Lewis never gave up chasing, frequently clearing the ball to safety down the left channel.

FULL TIME

Walden came out firing in extra-time, and after 3 minutes forced the Lion’s defence into conceding a corner. The ball eventually came out to John Griffin who fired in the winner from the edge of the box! Cherry Hinton had to attack, but apart from a shot that flashed wide, Walden were able to keep them at bay with reasonable ease. A well deserved win for Walden, but full credit to Cherry Hinton Lions for fully contributing to one of the best games of the season. 

Next up in the cup - Buckden Juniors on the first Sunday of the New Year.

Saffron Walden 2 v 2 Cherry Hinton Lions
25 November 2007

This clash between well matched mid-table teams was full of
excitement, tension and great football that could have gone either way. Saffron Walden had to put out a new look midfield due to illness, and it took time for the team to gel and produce the flowing football we have become accustomed to in recent matches.

Andrew Smith in goal bravely grabbed the ball from an attacker's feet after a scramble in the home penalty box. At the other end, another pinball exchange so nearly resulted in an own goal, but the ball went inches wide of the post.

Immediately afterwards, Cherry Hinton launched a long ball down field that deceived the Walden defence, the visiting striker coolly lobbed the ball over Smith's head to make it 1-0 to the Lions. 

Walden were beginning to be pinned back, a fierce long range shot was expertly tipped over the bar by Smith, and it wasn't long before Walden conceded a second.

The bloods didn't become down hearted. Daniel Murphy-Moore forced the keeper into a good save and Will Clark put the ball across the face of goal just inches away from a stretching Alex Hancock.

Just like last week, Walden started the second half in the best way possible. Three minutes after the interval Murphy-Moore broke through the centre and delivered a fine strike into the back of the net.

Saffron Walden were dominating the exchanges now, Hancock and Charlie Pitt both tested the keeper, but Will Clark had the best chance when he shot from close range only for the keeper to make a fine point blank save.

John Griffin, Pitt and a just fit Daniel Page were marauding through the midfield creating problems for the visitors but would the equalizer come?

YES!, Liam Coles battled down the left wing and his shot come cross squeezed into the far corner of the goal.
Coles sprung into life against a hard working right back, and was so close when he hit the bar and then screwed a chance wide. Walden continued to press, but were leaving themselves short at the back as they strived for a winner.

Cherry Hinton took every opportunity to break in force, and it has to be said the make shift Walden midfield were excellent going forward but tended to ignore their defensive duties.

So it was that the Walden defence had to step up with some determined challenges. Jed Butler, Oliver Lewis, Hayden Plumb, Andrew Reynolds and Matthew Tookey threw themselves into numerous tackles to keep The Lions at bay.

But Walden were being pressed back, finding it difficult to clear the ball from defence. Hearts in mouths - penalty to Cherry Hinton - it smacks the bar and away.

That's 9 league games for Walden with 2 wins, 2 losses and 5 draws. Best put them as a score draw on the pools!
 

Bottisham 0 v 6 Saffron Walden

18 November 2007

HARRY LEADS THE CHARGE

Despite freezing windswept conditions, Saffron Walden produced an
outstanding display of joined up football in all departments. Harry
Clark grabbed the headlines with a fantastic tally of four goals, but
the rest of the Walden team contributed with some super passing moves, getting the ball wide to threaten the home team's defence whenever they had the chance.

Walden played into the gale in the first half and in the opening
exchanges found the weather conditions hard to deal with. There was
little shape to the game with the ball flying through on the wind to
keeper Andrew Smith who dominated his penalty box with authority.

Gradually Walden began to get more control with Daniel Page and John
Griffin in midfield starting to impose themselves. Charlie Pitt's
header was cleared off the line, but the goal was coming and it was
Harry Clark who was in the right place to stroke the ball in from close
range after 15 minutes.

Walden's left wing was starting to get into gear. Jed Butler
collected a long clearance in his centre half position, intelligently passed the ball out wide to Oliver Lewis who steered it down the line to Liam
Coles, looking up to see who was available he spotted Daniel Murphy-
Moore who temporarily lost the ball but battled to retain possession on
the left edge of the penalty box. He crossed into Charlie Pitt who
finished off another great Saffron Walden move.

The half time huddle and jaffa cakes were enjoyed that little bit more
with a two goal cushion and the knowledge that with the wind behind
them more goals were likely to come.

And moments into the second half, the third came when Alex Hancock
broke through and calmly passed the ball wide of the keeper and into
the far corner of the net.  The visitors were dominating the game with some excellent passing  moves. Will Clark was starting to jink his way past defenders on the right wing while Andrew Reynolds produced some clever little touches to bring in his attacking partners.

Matt Tookey normally stays firmly in defence but even he got forward
to such an extent that his pass into the heart of the Bottisham back
four was kept at bay with a handball. PENALTY!! Harry Clark stepped up
and struck the ball to the left of the diving keeper.

Walden were becoming increasingly confident, Jed Butler fired in a
spectacular shot from the half way line that bounced over the home
keeper and struck the bar. It was from much closer range that Clark claimed his hat-trick, while his fourth was a superb long range strike.

A great all round performance from Saffron Walden that takes them up to sixth in the table. Next up two matches against Cherry Hinton Lions.
The first in the league where the Lions are just one place above Walden
and then in the first round of the Knockout Cup.

Attendance - 33

TEN MINUTES COSTS WALDEN VICTORY
Saffron Walden 3 v 3 Aztec Juniors
11 November 2007

This game started slowly but finished with incredible tension as Walden let a two goal lead slip in ten minutes of lost concentration.

Perhaps it was the bitterly cold wind that affected both teams in the early stages as neither were able to make much impact. Daniel Murphy-Moore changed all that in the seventh minute when he swivelled and struck to give Walden the opener.

Jed Butler was in the right place at the right time when Charlie Pitt delivered in a free kick from the right, Butler met the ball perfectly with his right foot from near the penalty spot.  Oliver Lewis was taking care of Aztecs dangerous right winger with some strong tackling, but after 20 minutes of domination, Walden lost their way and the visitors drew level through an own goal and a well taken effort.

The half time team talk from coach Steve Page demanded more sharpness and energy. He didn't have to wait long for a response.

John Griffin won a header in defence, Jed Butler collected the ball and found Murphy-Moore who burst down the left wing evading desperate challenges, he crossed into Charlie Pitt who finished the move off. A fantastic goal!

Aztec delivered some great corners into the heart of the Walden defence, and it was from one of these that they equalized for the second time. Walden went all out for a winner. Charlie Pitt sent a 20 yard free kick crashing onto the cross bar, then he just put the ball over the bar from close range and Daniel Page was denied by a superb goal line headed clearance.

Apart from ten minutes in the first half this was a very good performance from Walden who were unlucky not to take all three points.

Attendance 43

Saffron Walden 6 v 1 Sawston United Youth
28 October 2007

This was Walden's most impressive display of the season culminating in a richly deserved first league win over a side who were on the same points in the table at the start of the game.

Daniel Murphy-Moore showed his intent early on when he dashed down the right wing to make the keeper save. From the resulting corner Bertie Hughes flashed a shot wide.

Seven minutes into the match, Harry Clark forced his way through from midfield to set up Charlie Pitt who converted to give Walden the lead.

The offside rule was causing Walden strikers some problems - something the boys will have to work on - but after 19 minutes Andrew Reynolds played the ball into Murphy-Moore to make it 2-0.

Walden's confidence was high, no higher perhaps than Murphy-Moore who produced a lovely turn to fire home his second.Charlie Pitt fizzed in a 25 yarder that went just wide, and moments before halftime Murphy-Moore claimed his hat-trick.

Throughout the first half Sawston had been kept at bay, with Andrew Smith in the home goal not being troubled once. Credit for this must be given to the Walden defence of Jed Butler, Matthew Tookey, Bertie Hughes, Oliver Lewis and Hayden Plumb who kept their concentration and battled hard in very blustery conditions.

35 minutes had gone when Charlie Pitt sprinted down the right wing and fed Andrew Reynolds on the edge of the box who calmly steered the ball in to make it 5-0.

Then from the left wing Alex Hancock speared a cross in to give Pitt the simplest of chances to score his second.

Walden continued to pressure and create chances, the midfield dominated with John Griffin, Harry Clark, Daniel Page and Will Clark breaking up the play and driving forward at every opportunity.

Late into the game Sawston began to trouble Saffron Walden. Andrew Smith was called into action with a fine tip over and then a close range save. The home crowd thought the first clean sheet of the league campaign was assured when Smith saved a penalty, however a long range free kick put pay to that hope.

An all round excellent performance highlighting that Waldens passing game, together with solid midfield and defensive work, will give them every chance of winning matches this season.

Attendance 53

21 October 2007

FINE FINISHING & BAD LUCK THWART WALDEN 

Newmarket A 7 v 2 Saffron Walden

A combination of bad luck and Newmarkets clinical finishing brought Walden's three match unbeaten run to an end in the bright sunshine.

With only three minutes on the clock, Newmarket displayed their confidence in front of goal when a sharp header from a corner found the back of the net. 

Walden were quick to respond, Charlie Pitt crossed from the left to find Daniel Murphy-Moore in the six yard box to equalise two minutes later. Pitt then rocked the cross bar with a fierce right foot shot. 

In the 17th minute the Walden defence was split open as the Yellow's attacker skipped through and then rounded Andrew Smith to get their second, moments later it was 3-1.Charlie Pitt showed that he can score spectacular goals when he buried an absolute beauty from the edge of the box with his right boot.

Walden were so close to equalising when, following some pinball in the home box, Hayden Plumb prodded the ball in - only for the goal to be disallowed for offside. Seconds later Newmarket went further ahead when a long range shot skidded into the net via a deflection.

Walden came out strongly in the second half with the call for total commitment from their coach ringing in their ears.  Unbelievably Pitt was denied by the woodwork for a second time when his rasping free kick beat the wall and keeper, Newmarket scrambled the ball away to safety. Pitt was at the centre of the action again when he skilfully chested the ball down and struck a volley goalwards only for the home keeper to produce an outstanding reflex stop.

The home team scored their fifth straight from a free kick, and then another incredible strike made it six.  Walden kept battling, Daniel Page shot just wide, John Griffin nearly caught the keeper out with a shot from the halfway line and Alex Hancock put some searching crosses in that just didn't connect with his strikers.

Special mention should be given to Walden's defence. Jed Butler, Matthew Tookey and Oliver Lewis kept going for the whole match against a strong Newmarket forward line. Harry Clark in midfield also gave a determined performance breaking up the play on numerous occasions, while Andrew Reynolds produced some good link ups.

The seventh and final goal summed up Walden's bad luck as another long range shot was fired in, an awkward bounce just in front of Andrew Smith caused the ball to hit him in the face and into the roof of the net.

The scoreline certainly didn't reflect the balance of the game and Walden should keep their confidence up for their next match against Sawston.

Attendance 49

Cambs & District U11 League Cup 2nd round

14 October 2007

Buckden Juniors B 0  Saffron Walden Town 13

The longest away trip so far for the Walden youngsters, Buckden is south of Brampton on the A1 by the way, was well rewarded with a goal feast against a courageous home team.
 
The opening exchanges were a little sleepy, then Daniel Page injected pace after 9 minutes to dart through and open the scoring.

Walden were pushing forward, but were frequently caught offside in their eagerness to extend the lead.

The visitors were creating chance after chance and it was no surprise when the second came in the 15th minute from Page.

Oliver Lewis scored his first of the season with a super left foot strike from outside the box, shortly afterwards Daniel Murphy-Moore found Andrew Reynolds in the six yard box who characteristically tucked away the fourth.

Lewis was in the mood for more but his long range shot just before the half time whistle skimmed the angle of the crossbar.

Walden began the second half with three goals in three minutes. First Harry Clark found the net, then Liam Coles stormed down the left wing crossing to Charlie Pitt who made it six, followed quickly by Page who danced through the Buckden defence to claim his hat-trick.

Charlie Pitt bagged his second, before Daniel Murphy-Moore got into the act to score two goals.

Daniel Page, Liam Coles and Alex Hancock finished off the scoring for Walden, but Buckden didn't give up and were so close to a goal seconds before the final whistle.

Attendance - 30
 

Spartak 78 1 v 1 Saffron Walden

7 October 2007

Herberts farm on an overcast but dry day was the venue for a closely fought encounter between these local under 11 rivals.

It was clear from the opening skirmishes that neither team was going to allow their opponents an easy Sunday afternoon.

Kicking downhill in the first half Walden gradually began to take control, and after 10 minutes there was a flurry of activity in the Spartak penalty box.

Charlie Pitt battled through the home defence and thumped the ball against the right hand post, it rebounded agonisingly close to crossing the line but a Spartak defender was able to clear the danger.

Alex Hancock then went near with a shot that just went wide, but quickly afterwards Liam Coles claimed his first of the season with a sweetly struck left foot shot to deservedly give Walden the lead after 12 minutes.

Walden continued to hold Spartak at bay, but without warning the visitors defence was broken and Spartak equalised in the 21st minute.

The Bloods responded, Andrew Reynolds forced a save and just before half time Charlie Pitt was denied by a brave keeper who dived at the strikers feet to claim the ball.

Spartak opened the second half with renewed energy, twice early on they sliced the Walden defence open down the left wing and were unlucky not to capitalise.

Andrew Smith in goal for Walden was called into action when he parried a fierce shot.   The visitors then began to find their feet again, and forced Spartak back a number of times. Daniel Murphy-Moore found an excellent position but scuffed his shot wide of the post.

A solid display from Saffron Walden, if they had shown more of a cutting edge in the first half they might have gained their first three points of the season.

Saffron Walden 4 v 1 Witchford Colts

U11 League Cup 1st Round

Walden found their winning form just at the right time, with an excellent performance in the 1st round of the League Cup.

The home side stormed 2-0 ahead after three minutes with fine strikes by Will Clark from the left hand corner of the box and then Charlie Pitt from the right channel.

Walden continued to pressure the Under 11A side, with John Griffin providing some excellent crosses, while Daniel Page and Harry Clark were tenacious in midfield.

Andrew Smith in goal was rarely needed in the first half, but his long goal kicks were causing the Witchford defence all sorts of problems as the Walden strikers attempted to take advantage.

Half time arrived, and the home supporters enjoyment of the bright sunshine was tempered by the knowledge that Walden had surrendered leads in all of their previous encounters this season. Would it be the same again today?

Witchford seemed to sense Walden's nervousness and began well. However the home team was resolute with determined performances from Jed Butler, Bertie Hughes, Matthew Tookey, Andrew Reynolds, Hayden Plumb and Oliver Lewis.

Smith in goal was a reassuring presence with another good display of handling, but Lewis was needed early in the second half to make a vital block on a goal bound shot.

Pitt nearly grabbed a second when he flashed a shot wide from a breakaway, but then after 49 minutes Daniel Murphy-Moore calmed nerves as he rounded the goalkeeper and tapped in the third of the match.

A series of offside decisions thwarted Walden, but Alex Hancock wasn't to be denied as he collected a long ball from Butler and cleverly lobbed the ball in to make it 4-0.

Witchford pulled one back through an own goal after 56 minutes, but there was no way back for them.

Saffron Walden recorded their first win of the season and now go on to meet Buckden Juniors U11 B in the second round.

ATTENDANCE 72
 

Aztec Juniors 3 v Saffron Walden 2

This was the first competitive match on astro turf for the under 11s from Catons Lane and for most of the game they gave as good as they got.

Six minutes into the first half, Charlie Pitt pounced onto a half chance and drilled the ball in from 9 yards to give the visitors the lead.

Walden dominated the opening 30 minutes, keeping good shape in the midfield and defensive departments, coupled with determination to get to the ball first.

Charlie Pitt was on the end of all the telling moves, nearly adding another when he headed just over from close range from a chip in by Will Clark. He then burst through the home defence but dragged his left foot shot wide of the post.

Clark then decided to have a go from distance and made the home goalkeeper scramble to touch the ball away. Daniel Page could have added the second but for a deflection that took his shot wide.

The second half turned out to be a much tougher affair for Saffron Walden, but it started so well when Charlie Pitt collected the ball with ease just inside the opponents half and powered his way through the defence to slot the ball home off the post, 2-0 for The Bloods.

The home team pulled one back 41 minutes into the second period and they continued to pile on the pressure as Walden, who were missing three key players, began to run out of steam.

The Aztecs had obviously practised their corner routine, and it paid off when the ball landed in the danger zone and forced an own goal to make it 2-2 after 51 minutes.

Andrew Smith in the Walden goal made a fabulous save when he somehow picked himself off the ground to fingertip the ball onto the bar and away.

However, Aztecs weren't to be denied as their impressive number 5 fired in the winner from short range.
 

Newmarket Town B 4 v 4 Saffron Walden Town

Saffron Walden were heading to a hard earned victory until the very
last seconds of injury time when the home team converted a penalty to
finish the game on equal terms.

A bright but breezy morning wasn't quite reflected in the early parts
of the game as both sides struggled to create clear cut chances. Then
after 15 minutes Daniel Murphy-Moore battled in midfield to win
possession and slipped the ball through to Alex Hancock who calmly
stroked home with his left foot.

Newmarket suddenly came alive and forced Walden's keeper Andrew Smith into some fine saves. A deserved equalizer came from a corner late in the first half.

The second half opened with some fierce tackling in midfield from
Daniel Page and Murphy-Moore which rattled Newmarket.  Seven minutes into the second period a corner from Liam Coles found
Charlie Pitt on the edge of the 6 yard box who stabbed the ball home to
regain the lead for the visitors.

Hancock stayed on the shoulder of the last defender, collected a
through ball from Will Clark and then steered the ball through the
keepers legs to make it 3-1 to Walden. Yet again Newmarket stepped up, this time to take advantage of Walden's indecision in defence to pull one back.

Smith continued to impress with some fine saves, Bertie Hughes made a
last gasp clearance off the line, but Walden were on the back foot and
it wasn't long before it was 3-3. Straight from the re-start, Pitt got the ball, cut in from the right and found the left hand corner of the net to surely make it game over.

Seven minutes into injury time, PENALTY! GOAL! 4-4, final whistle.

Hard luck Saffron Walden.

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