Cobblah helps Bloods earn away point

Jeff Cobblah’s early strike secured a 1-1 draw for Saffron Walden Town away to Great Wakering Rovers.

Saffron Walden, the underdogs for the game who had suffered three defeats in a row, enjoyed the perfect start when Cobblah put them ahead on 6 minutes, however, after an eventful second half which included a sin bin and a dismissal for Walden boss John Hughes, Harry Talbot’s 88^th minute penalty rescued a point for the hosts.

On paper, following Walden’s dismal performance at home to Buckhurst Hill in midweek, during which they struggled to create chances and test the keeper, it seemed a formality that they would suffer yet another defeat to all but end their slim play-off hopes, away to a Great Wakering side in decent form and buoyed by their midweek Peter Butcher Memorial Cup final victory against Little Oakley.

But Wakering seemed to be suffering from a hangover from their cup win, which was evident when Solomon Ofori tested himself against left-back Shaye La Rose for the first time and got a cross in, the hosts’ defence switched off and Cobblah got in front of his marker to poke a shot towards goal. Goalkeeper George Martin got a hand to the ball but was unable to prevent the shot from finding the back of the net. The perfect start for Walden, but how long would the lead last?

Great Wakering suffered a lacklustre first half, in front of a noisy home crowd, and struggled to find their usual effective attacking rhythm. Despite some efforts to unlock the Bloods’ defence, the centre-back pairing of Michael Turner and Tom Skelton were solid throughout, and, when called upon, teenage goalkeeper George Coton showed a maturity beyond his years to make several important saves, notably claiming several crosses as the Wakering supporters grew more and more frustrated.

Similarly, Saffron Walden lacked an outlet up front, with the absence of Kaleel Green being felt. Jordan Elongo was deployed in his favoured position further forward, but struggled to get into the game, or hold the ball up in the way that Green has been known for since arriving at Catons Lane.

Walden found themselves a goal to the good at the break, with their supporters more than content to take an away lead given their poor recent form.

The hosts made a double substitution at the break and started to ask questions of the Saffron Walden defence, creating good chances for Talbot and Ben Search, but both efforts went wide.

Walden were restricted to trying to catch the hosts on the break throughout, and did have chances to double their lead. On the hour mark, Solomon Ofori’s teasing cross clipped the crossbar, and Cobblah met a Billy Knott corner with a downward header, but the ball bounced just over the crossbar.

But a task that was already looking increasingly difficult for The Bloods was made much more difficult when Ricky Modeste was sin-binned for dissent on 75 minutes, and five minutes later, manager John Hughes was shown two yellow cards in quick succession.

The Wakering pressure paid off with just a few minutes of normal time remaining. A long goal-kick was headed into the path of Talbot, who found himself one on one with Coton. The Bloods’ goalkeeper committed to diving at the feet through Talbot, who was caught and went down, leaving the referee with no choice but to point to the spot.

Talbot stepped up, and despite Coton guessing the right way, the penalty had too much power and Wakering had a deserved equaliser.

From then on, it looked like both teams were happy to settle for a point, save for a Bloods half-chance in stoppage time when Jaiden Babalola fired a fierce shot into the side-netting from an angle.

A much-improved performance for Saffron Walden after a difficult few games. The playoffs may be a step too far, but they would want to end the season on a high to give them a good platform for next season.

The games don’t get any easier, however, as the Bloods welcome second-placed Woodford Town to Catons Lane on Saturday 5^th April. Next up for Great Wakering, meanwhile, is a repeat of the recent cup final, as they host Little Oakley on Tuesday night.

 

Great Wakering Rovers: Martin, Bennett, La-Rose (Whiteaker, 59’), Okuguni (Cossington, 45’), Topliss, McQueen, Talbot, Metalia (Dawson, 85’), Gray (Gnandi, 59’), Search (C), Rowland (Locke, 45’).

Goals: Talbot.

 

Saffron Walden Town: Coton, Modeste, Hursit, Babalola, Skelton, Turner (C), Ofori (Anker, 90+4’), Deering, Elongo, Cobblah, Knott (Banks, 89’). Subs not used: Barns, Chalk.

 Goals: Cobblah. Bookings: Cobblah, Modeste.