Seasider’s Sunk By Wardley’s Bloods

Walden welcomed unbeaten side Felixstowe and Walton to Catons Lane. The team; that are known as The Seasiders had won the last 12 games, and would have been confident going into Saturdays match.

30th September 2017

Walden welcomed unbeaten side Felixstowe and Walton to Catons Lane. The team; that are known as The Seasiders had won the last 12 games, and would have been confident going into Saturdays match.

Wardley had 5 of his usual first team players missing, and decided to name himself as centre back alongside the experienced Ashley Skeggs.
Dan Trendall took the number 9 shirt after continuing to impress the Walden manager.

The Bloods started the game, showing no fear of the leaders and went and attacked the Seasiders goal from the first blow of the whistle. This rattled the defence and they found themselves 1-0 down, with 3 minutes on the clock. Dan Trendall shrugged off the right back and squared the ball to Tom Lakin. Lakin flicked the ball with his heel, and into the back on the net, sending goalkeeper Daniel Crump the wrong way.

The fans were treated to more Walden attack and the referee awarded a penalty in 12th minute, after the Felixstowe defenders hand ball in the area. Up stepped Wardley, who struck the ball perfectly into the corner of the net.

Tension was mounting, and so were the yellow cards, as Felixstowe found themselves with three players in the book.
Walden were in dreamland and the fans enjoyed every kick of the ball, as the Bloods pushed on for a third goal. Dan Grindrod took a free kick just outside the area. He whipped the ball around the wall and it was brilliantly tipped over by Crump.

Five minutes later, Tom Lakin had scored a brace and put the Bloods 3-0 up. The ball was struck into the box, and Lakin got a slight touch and sent the ball into the corner of the goal.

Felixstowe and Walton hadn’t given up and started to put Walden under pressure. The talented Nick Ingram was clear on goal, but Ashley Skeggs’ powerful sliding challenge send the ball flying out of play.

Felixstowe continued to put on the pressure and Neil O’Sullivan pulled of two excellent saves, with Dan Grindrod showing great strength and cleared the ball from danger.

The Seasiders were awarded a penalty as the referee believed the player was pushed, but O’Sullivan again showed why he is one of the best keepers in the league and made an excellent save.

The Bloods went into half time 3-0 up, but knew that the game was far from over.

The second half, the Bloods focused on keeping their three goal lead in tack and made it very difficult for the Seasiders to find their rhythm. The defence worked hard and didn’t make any mistakes or take any chances. This was backed up by the great game awareness and strength from Julian Simon-Parson who has become a real fan favourite.

The best chance from Felixstowe was from a long range effort. O’Sullivan had to dive down low and hard to palm the ball around the post, and out of play.

Tom Lakin continued to frustrate the defence, and was fouled in the box. The referee had no choice to give the Bloods a penalty. Wardley smashed the ball into the roof of the net to make it 4-0, giving the visitors no chance of a dramatic comeback.

Walden never stopped working until the final whistle and even looked to extend the lead, with some great attacks by Spike Bell and Julian Simon- Parson, but the game finished at 4-0.

The fans left the ground extremely proud and the social media message flooded in all evening. One fan said ‘Different class today. Everyone played out of their skin from start to finish. Sticko (Wardley) doesn’t age, Jules (Simon-Parson) is a beast and Lakin has been the signing of the season.

FT: Saffron Walden Town FC 4 – Felixstowe and Walton FC 0

MOTM: Stuart Wardley

Team: O’Sullivan, Bell (C.), Grindrod (Ledwith 80mins), Molloy, Wardley, Skeggs, Emsden (Davies 69 mins), Murphy, Trendall, Simon-Parson (Tarman 86 mins), Lakin

Walden’s first team are next in action on Friday night as they welcome Long Melford for a 7.45pm kick off. The Under 18s are also in action on Thursday night as they look to continue their excellent run in the FA Youth Cup.

Report by Jonathan Scripps