Wednesday 2 January 2008 :Ridgeons League First Division

Walden's unbeaten home record remains intact as they beat Long Melford at Catons Lane last night on a cold and blustery night. A crowd of !5l braved the freezing conditions to see the Bloods totally dominate the play.

Melford were pinned back in their own half for 90% of the game with the "Walden Wall" blocking any attempts on goal throughout the match, Walden's Captain Tommy Bulchart (making his first start since a long injury lay off) and in the first five minutes he fired in a looping shot to test Croll in the visitor's goal.

Strong came close minutes later with a header and Riley was denied a certain goal by the energetic Croll.  Croll twice denied Godden a goal with some fingertip saves while Strong's fierce volley was deflected round the post.

Second half saw the Bloods continue with some fine passing and attacking moves that  - although entertaining -  couid not get past the busy Melford keeper. Butchaty fired in swerving volley that saw Croll tip round the post, and substitute Spike Bell continually fired in shots to test the keeper to no avail

Next to try was Chadwick who ran the defence ragged and three times he was denied a goal by the energetic Croll. Bloods captain Butchait fired in a curling shot that the Keeper managed to parry to the gasp of the Walden supporters.

In the final minutes a free kick was curled into the area by Bell which was met by Chadwick to head in past man of the match Croll 1-0(85 minutes).  With 5 players booked Melford can thank their goalkeeper for blocking out 15 shots  on target from the Walden attack to keep a respectable score sheet.

Team

E.Lewis, B.Riches, R.Cannon,  A.Riches, M.Danbury, T.Butchart (capt),
G.Strong (Badcock), K Vallis. D.Godden (T Richardson), K.Riley (S.Bell),
R.Chadwick. Subs not used Z Collins, D Pledger.