Sat 1th October 2007 :Ridgeons League First Division

After last weeks elation of winning the “Mascot Grand National” and acclaim for our superb web site by a national paper it was back to league action at Catons Lane.

The Bloods were quick off the mark when link up play with Cannon set Clarke up in the box to shoot, but his shot was deflected out for a corner.  From the corner an unmarked Cannon found space to try a lob over the advancing Seasiders goalie, but his shot flew over the cross bar.

Clacton replied with Coyle attacking on the wing to gain a comer but Pledger was at full stretch to save a volley from Smith to deny the visitors the lead.

Butchart and Bell beat the offside trap with some neat passing to set Ben Riches goal bound, but he tried to lob over Rulton to no avail.  Clacton started to up their game with some strong tackles and Waters should have scored from a header after breaking through the Walden wall.

Minutes later their determination paid off, when Walden's failure to clear a loose ball resulted in Waters slotting home a goal after three attempts to score.01 (20minutes)

The second half Walden's captain was confined to the physio’s room for treatment on a twisted ankle with the pacey Barker coming on to strengthen the defence. Waters could have increased the lead when he was set free by White, but fired high over the crossbar. The Bloods gradually upped the pressure and with substitute Chadwick back into the fray Walden started to look likely to score.

Clarke came close with a jinking move into the box to beat three defenders, but Rulton was on hand to deny the equaliser.

Cannon’s one two with Chadwick beat the flying tackles and then Cannon's lob just skimmed the bar. Substitute Greg Strong made an instant impact with a cross that Chadwick met with a header- but this was well saved by Rulton in the visitors goal.

Strong's corner kick found the unmarked Alex Riches who planted his header into the net through a packed defence for the equaliser. l-l (79 minutes).

In the closing minutes FC Clacton’s Heighway could have taken the spoils with a header that sailed over the cross bar. 1-1 (90 minutes)

Saffron Walden Town Team.  

D.Pledger, P.Flack, R.Cannon, A Riches, M.Danbury, T.Butchart (M.Barker), S.Bell (R.Chadwick), S.Kingham (G.Strong), B.Riches, M.Clarke, K.Vallis.

Subs not used T.Richardson. K.Badcock.

Barry's Match Stats

                             Saffron Walden                             FC.Clacton

Corners                           6                                               5

Offsides                          4                                               4

Fouls Conceded                 11                                              19

Throw ins                        30                                             31

 Attendance                   173