Saffron Walden Town FC 3 – Haverhill Borough 1

Thurlow Nunn League Cup – 19th September The Bloods showed great form and determination as they beat rivals Haverhill Borough, to advance into the next round of the League Cup

Walden got off to a flying start, when James Crane fired the Bloods into the lead in the fifth minute. Crane used his pace and ran onto a great through ball from the midfield. He dribbled the ball into the box, and calmly slotted the ball passed Borough goalkeeper Kieran Petty, and into the back of the net.

This gave the Bloods confidence, and they continued to attack the Borough goal, and on the fifteenth minute they were award a penalty, after Charlie Portway was fouled in the six-yard box. Portway, who has a 100% conversion rate this season from the penalty spot, sent Petty the wrong way and doubled the Bloods lead.

Twenty minutes in the match and Borough started to give the defence pressure and won four back-to -back corners. Each corner was well defended until there final attempted was safely held by goalkeeper Neil O’Sullivan.

Five minutes later Rory Bowe had a great opportunity and struck the ball well, but O’Sullivan was equal to the Borough’s striker’s effort and caught the ball.

Walden continued to work for a third goal in the first half; and Portway had beaten Rix, but saw his effort rebound of the goal post.

With five minute remaining James Crane frustrated the Borough, defence and skillfully dribbled the ball across the box. He played the ball wide to Oliver Emsden, but Emsden’s shot was slightly wide of the target.

Haverhill Borough began the second half well and had a few great opportunities, but each one failed to test O’Sullivan.

The Bloods looked good for there lead, and worked hard to put themselves further in front. Mason Naylor did very well to keep the ball from going out of play, and played a tricky one-two with Ryan Fleming. Naylor got the ball to Portway, who was waiting in the box. He managed to spin and shoot, but his effort was well saved by Petty.

Joe Murphy was very unlucky not to get on the score sheet, midway through the second half. Emsden played the ball wide to Bell, who was charging up the wing. Bell crossed the ball for Murphy as he was sliding in, but his effort was just wide of the post.

The moment of the match game from Haverhill Borough, as Ryan Weaver scored an incredible goal from 30 yards. Weaver launched the ball on the volley, which dipped over O’Sullivan, at the last minute, and was given a round of applause from every fan in the ground.

Walden continued to attack, and worked hard to put the game out of Borough’s reach. The hard work paid off when Ryan Fleming placed the ball into the back of the net from 18 yards.

Haverhill Borough did not give up, and had two great chanced cleared off the line by Ashley Skeggs in the final minutes.

FT: Saffron Walden Town FC 3 – Haverhill Borough 1

The Bloods now face Histon away in the next round, which will be played on the 31st October.

MOTM went to James Crane

The first team will be back in action at Catons Lane, against league leaders Felixstowe and Walden on Saturday 30th September at 3pm.