Bloods lose out in eight-goal thriller

 

Saffron Walden Town were defeated 5-3 in a thrilling end-to-end encounter with Stanway Rovers on Saturday, leaving the Bloods 6^th in the table.

Despite scoring three goals away to the favourites for the league title, Walden were forced to field a somewhat makeshift back four who struggled against Stanway’s potent attackers, who looked like scoring every time they came forward.

Saffron Walden had not played a game since defeat at Romford a fortnight ago due to a series of cancelled matches, and showed signs of rustiness, particularly in the first half.

The Bloods found themselves two goals down after just 12 minutes, firstly, Ricky Tabard, up from right-back, picked up a pass from Tom Maycock on the edge of the box, and finished well into the bottom corner past James Askew.

The lead was then doubled when Walden were outnumbered in their own penalty area, the ball fell to Maycock who applied a similarly accurate finish to ensure a horrendous opening few minutes for Walden – restricted going forward and vulnerable at the back.

Despite this, Kaleel Green gave them hope on 20 minutes. A set piece was not cleared by Stanway, allowing Green to swivel and fire a half-volley beyond the reach of Rovers’ number 1 Callum Robinson to grab his second goal for the club since arriving three weeks ago.

Walden had chances to get an equaliser with both Green and Sam Deering being denied, before Rovers grabbed a third shortly before the break. A cross was headed on into the path of Nathaniel Mardell whose low strike beat Askew, restoring the hosts’ two goal advantage.

Walden’s further attempts to push forward in the half were thwarted by Stanway’s back four, who had a significant height advantage and showed why they were favourites for the title. Supporters of the visitors were also left aggrieved when the match referee, Adam Miller, seemed to be giving most of the decisions in Stanway’s favour. Walden went into the break 3-1 behind.

The second half started slowly for both sides, save for a series of Walden corners which Robinson did well to claim. The visitors’ first notable chance of the half fell to Jordan Elongo who placed his diving header just wide.

And a chance for parity was presented to Walden for their efforts, on 75 minutes. The ball struck the arm of Joe Turpin inside the penalty area, which was spotted by referee Miller who was in a good position. Jean-Baptiste Fischer stepped up for Walden to dispatch the penalty clinically down the middle of the goal and make it 3-2 with plenty of time to go.

Moreover, Walden’s comeback hopes quickly evaporated as a cross came in leaving substitute Jamie Bennett to volley a fourth for Stanway at the back post.

Five minutes later, Green was pulled back by Stanway captain Joe Debell, who saw red as Miller deemed him to be the last man. Deering took the resulting free kick, which was tipped behind by Robinson. Walden packed the penalty area with bodies, the resulting corner was cleared up to Bennett who had a free run on goal from the halfway line, and Stanway’s number 14 made no mistake to wrap up the three points for the home side, who go back to the top of the table with games in hand.

There was still time for the Bloods to grab a third, Sam Deering finishing well past Robinson from close range, but that was the final significant moment of an action-packed match in Colchester. Walden would come away wondering how they lost a match during which they scored three goals away to the league title favourites, while Stanway would just be delighted to get back to winning ways as they look to gain promotion to Step 4.

Next up for the Bloods is that crucial Peter Butcher Memorial Trophy semi-final at home to Little Oakley on Tuesday night, while Stanway continue their title charge at home to Romford on Saturday.

 

Stanway Rovers: Robinson, Tabard (Grimes, 71’), Harris, Barnett (Conway, 65’), Turpin, Debell (C), Mardell (Bennett, 65’), Chatting, Wall, Maycock (Thomas, 81’), Okoye (Girling, 81’).

Goals: Tabard, Maycock, Mardell, Bennett (2). Red cards: Debell.

 

Saffron Walden Town: Askew, Elongo, Modeste, Fischer, Skelton, J. Hursit, Ofori, Deering, Green, Cobblah (Woodward, 71’), Knott (Anker, 71’). Subs not used: Hoskins, Da Moura, Barns.

Goals: Green, Fischer, Deering. Bookings: Fischer.