Samuel Gardiner - Sports Journalism

  SWTFC Weekly Roundup: Mixed fortunes, a hat trick and a potential new pitch   Kaleel Green (him again) took his tally to 20 goals for the season this week   It’s rarely a quiet week being a fan of a non-league club, with notable events both on and off the pitch this week. The week started well, with a thumping 5-0 victory over bottom side Frenford at the Lane. Buoyed by the memorable display at Woodford on Friday evening, we came into this match full of confidence. Despite the fact that we had to start the match 10 minutes late, we started on the front foot and never really looked like achieving anything else other than three points. Toheeb Elegushi looked lively throughout and shot just wide in the early exchanges. The only surprise was that it took us as long as we did to take the lead – 25 minutes had passed with near-total Walden domination before Jordy Gent headed the ball onto Kaleel Green, who took his shot early, a powerful low drive in at the go...

SWTFC Weekly Roundup: Bouncebackability, a Sam Deering masterclass and looking ahead to next weekend Despite Woodford putting an athletics track in our way, we could clearly see the four goals we scored past them on Friday night   Nothing says being a supporter of a football club more than losing 5-0 at home one week, against a side lower down in the league table, and then winning 4-1 at the home of a league title challenger the following week. Last week’s result against Buckhurst Hill was the worst I’ve seen us play in years (I wasn’t there for the Great Wakering game earlier this year), but the difference between that defeat and Friday night’s game against Woodford was night and day. We came into this match quietly confident that we could get a positive result and bounce back after such a disappointing previous display, but never in our wildest dreams did we think that we could hit four away at Woodford, historically a very tricky place to go to, and inflict their heaviest ...

  SWTFC Weekly Roundup: A thrashing…   The pitch at Catons Lane was in good condition for the visit of Buckhurst Hill despite the poor weather Will keep it shorter than usual this week – it’s never nice to have to report on your team after losing, especially a heavy defeat. I know a lot of the Walden boys read these reports (thanks by the way), they will no doubt be hurting after yesterday… we all know we can play better; I have no doubt this was just a blip – we’re all confident in your abilities. You don’t go two months unbeaten in a difficult league like this if you’re not a top team. Dust yourselves down and go again starting fresh next week. Onto the match itself against Buckhurst Hill at the Lane – I was expecting a bigger crowd after our brilliant late victory in the Vase the week before but it did feel quiet, a few people choosing to stay indoors given the horrible weather we had the previous day and on the morning of the match. The starting XI was the same as ...

Saffron Walden Town Weekly Roundup: Late drama in the Vase, Round of 64 here we come   Fahad Nazor's last-gasp winner put us in the hat for the next round Through to the last 64 of the Vase for the first time in four years, thanks to a 97 th -minute winner. Unbeaten in 90 minutes in two months. A team showing a real togetherness.   It’s an exciting time to be a Bloods fan at the moment, and this was epitomised by Fahad Nazor’s late, late goal at home to March Town United in the Vase yesterday. The celebrations from fans in the ground, as well as players and staff, were a joy to be a part of and are a testament to the hard work that has been put in so far this season, and especially in the last two months – yes it’s really been that long since we lost in 90 minutes. Manager John Hughes appeared on BBC Radio Essex on Friday evening to preview the game and he said at the time that he was relishing the challenge at hand. “It’s a tough game against a really competit...

  Bloods boss Hughes relishing Vase challenge   Saffron Walden Town host March Town United in the second round of the Isuzu FA Vase on Saturday, and manager John Hughes has said that he is looking forward to a “good battle” at Catons Lane. Speaking on BBC Radio Essex’s Fans’ Phone-In show on Friday evening, Hughes, who has been in charge since January having previously held the role of assistant manager, was quick to stress the difficult task ahead of The Bloods ahead of Saturday’s fixture, given the strength of the opposition. “It’s a tough game against a really competitive team”, Hughes stated. “I think they’re third in their league at the moment and on a really good run of form. We know it’s going to be a tough test but we’re ready for it.” In the previous round, a last-gasp Jordan Gent header secured a 2-2 draw at home to Brimsdown, before The Bloods prevailed 3-1 on penalties in a dramatic, nail-biting tie. It was clear on the day that the coaching staff appreci...

Saffron Walden Town weekly roundup: Cup knockout, a late equaliser and a frustrating referee   SWTFC and West Essex lining up before kick off on Saturday. A bit of a kit clash? It was another eventful week following the Bloods – crashing out of the Peter Butcher Memorial Cup at the first round stage despite a 3-0 advantage and snatching a late point away to West Essex, with both teams having to contend with some questionable refereeing decisions. Tuesday saw us (not me though, prior engagement) travel to Parsloes Park to take on an Athletic Newham side struggling at the wrong end of the ESL table but having already beaten us twice this season: once in the league and once in the BBC Essex Senior Cup. John Hughes made five changes from the side that earned a deserved point at home to high-flying Barking last time out. In came Toby Salmon for his full debut, Orlando Anker for his first start since returning to the club, Rgee Manyewe, Ryan Auger and Kieron Owusu, for Henry Maba...