Bloods Storm Past Stanway

First half goal fest from Wardley's men

Saffron Walden 4 – Stanway Rovers 0

Match report by Mike Drury

There was no respite from the hot and humid weather for Stanway Rovers visit to Catons Lane. With Saffron Walden FC coming into the game off a 1-1 away draw with Redbridge FC, you could see the team itching to get their first win of the new season under their belts. Stanway having lost their previous game 5-1 at home to Takeley were also looking to bounce back from that harrowing defeat and get onto winning ways.

It was a tentative start for both teams as possession was given away cheaply by both sides in the opening exchange. 15 minutes into the game Jack Mead played a through ball down the right flank exploiting space left by Stanways left back. Dan Trendall got onto the end of the ball drove into the penalty area and cutting back onto the inside only to be taken out at the legs by the opposition centre back. Lee Sawyer stepped up calmly dispatched the penalty by sending the keeper to his left as Sawyer powered the ball down the middle. 1-0 to the Bloods.

The Bloods then rallied after a brief spell of Stanway pressure. Craig Calver managed to exploit the space down the side of the Stanway defence again. This time on the left as Julian Simon-Parsons was the beneficiary. The midfielder drove forward then cut back onto his inside with the defenders giving him plenty of space trying not to give away an identical penalty to that they had just conceded. This was their downfall as he kept a cool head and slotted the ball into the opposite corner of the goal. 32 minutes gone 2-0 to the Bloods.

You could see the Stanway player’s heads sink after the second goal but the Bloods did not let up. 10 minutes after Simon-Parsons strike Trendall added the teams third with a goal already in contention for goal of the season. Calver utilised the space down the left flank again as Trendall ran onto the ball. Without a moment’s hesitation unleashed a fierce left footed half volley from a tight angle on the top corner of the penalty area. The ball rifled into the opposite top corner of the net, the goal was met by applause from both the home and away fans. 3-0 to the Bloods.

With the game all but over the Blood decided to put the Stanway Rovers to the sword. Trendall added his second goal of the game as he received the ball at his feet at around the 30 yard mark. He then turned 2 opposition players with a clever touch. Driving forward with only the keeper to beat he calmly slotted the ball into the net. To make it 4-0 and kill off the game in the 1st minute of first half stoppage time.

No goals in the second half as the resilient defence of the Bloods held firm, led by a partnership Captain Ryan Fleming and Jamie RILEY who has recently signed from Bishops Stortford. The defence never seemed troubled by the Stanway attack as they claimed their first clean sheet and first Victory of the season.

Speaking to Captain Ryan Fleming after the game about the win he said ‘I am pleased we built on last week’s one all draw against Redbridge. Scoring a few goals, keeping a clean sheet and winning convincingly will give us a huge boost’. Up next for Saffron Walden FC is a trip to Wroxham in the FA Cup on Saturday the 11th of August 3:00 pm kick off.

MOTM:- Saffron Walden FC No. 10 Dan Trendall

Stats:-
Shots SW 11 Stanway 15
Shots on Target SW 10 Stanway 3
Corners SW 3 Stanway 7
Fouls SW 6 Stanway 6
Offside SW 3 Stanway 1

Subs:-
SW Joe Murphy on – Lee Sawyer off 59th minute
Lewis Francis on – Tom Lakin off 63rd minute
Greg Strong on – Julian Simon Parsons off 70th MInute

Stanway Jordan Sargent, Brandon Wood and Algie Geal on All on 70th minute
Jett Hogan, Romarid Dunne and Marley Okasi off