Saffron Walden Town 2 - Haverhill Borough 1

Bloods come out on top as they beat rivals Haverhill Brough

Saffron Walden Town FC 2 – Haverhill Borough 1 – Thurlow Nunn Premier League

8th August 2017

Newly promoted rivals Haverhill Borough were in town to face a confident unbeaten Saffron Walden.

It’s been two year since the two sides have met, and the match did not disappoint the eagerly awaiting fans.

Walden started the match very well and controlled the game. They showed great movement and worked hard to create the first goal scoring opportunity.

The best move of the half came from the trio of Spike Bell, Tom Lakin and Matt Snelling. Bell sprinted with the ball down the wing and fed the ball onto Lakin, who continued the run to the corner flag. Lakin skilful rounded the Borough defender, and squared the ball to Snelling. Snelling’s quick feet gave him an opportunity to shoot, but his effort rattled the crossbar and back into play.

Graeme Turner was playing extremely well and causing Borough’s defence issues. He chased down a long ball into the corner of the pitch, shrugged off the defender, and squared the ball to Charlie Portway. Portway’s first time effort was perfectly placed into the back corner of the net, to give the Bloods a deserved lead.

Walden didn't give Borough a moments rest, and new Blood Tom Lakin opened his account for Walden. Ryan Fleming controlled a long ball at the far post. He floated the ball into six yard box, and Lakin steered the ball into the goal to make it 2-0.

With minutes left of the first half, Julian Simon-Parson’s thunderous long range effort was brilliantly push around the post by Borough’s goalkeeper Petty.

HT: Saffron Walden 2 - Haverhill Borough 1

Haverhill Borough looked more confident as they began the second half, but the first great opportunity of the second half was from Walden’s hitman Portway. He got the better of the defender, but could only direct Lakin's cross over the crossbar.

Haverhill was determined to get back into game, and had three decent chances within 10 minutes, forcing great defensive work from James Ferguson and a difficult save from goalkeeper Neil O'Sullivan.

Midway through the second half, Connor Molloy forced a great save out of Petty, after he skilfully controlled Lakin's cross on the edge of the area.

Borough continued to press Walden’s defence, and had an excellent chance with 25 minutes left of the match. The ball was whipped across the six yard box, and needed the slightest of touches to steer it in, but the ball scuffed off Pruden’s foot and went wide of the goal.

James Crane was introduced to the match for Tom Lakin. Crane added instant impact and used his speedy and quick feet to frustrate the defence. He had a great opportunity to put the game away, but Hawley put in a perfectly timed block.

Haverhill Borough continued to push, and forced a great diving save from O’Sullivan. Moments latest Bloods new centre back James Ferguson made another excellent tackle. Credit to Borough as there persistence paid off, and with minutes left on the clock, Clark finally beat O’Sullivan and made it 2-1.

4 minutes into injury time, Walden had a last minute scare when Hurkett connected perfectly with the ball and forced another great save from O’Sullivan.

MOTM: Julian Simon- Parson

FT: Saffron Walden 2 – Haverhill Borough 1 Attendance: 198

The Team: O’Sullivan, Bell (C.), Ledwith, Snelling (Murphy 60mins), Ferguson, Fleming, Simon-Parson, Molloy (Emsden 78mins), Turner, Portway, Lakin (Crane 70mins). Subs not used: Chadwick, Dusi