Darren Wardley returned for Walden reserves in the win over Stowmarket

THIS was a serious case of after the ‘Lord Mayor’s Show’ for the reserves and, after their solid performance and deserved win away at AFC Sudbury in mid week, this was a generally poor performance in a first half littered with mistakes.

Stowmarket Town Reserves 1 Saffron Walden Town Reserves 6

THIS was a serious case of after the ‘Lord Mayor’s Show’ for the reserves and, after their solid performance and deserved win away at AFC Sudbury in mid week, this was a generally poor performance in a first half littered with mistakes.

With last week’s two fixtures, this and next Tuesday nights home fixture against Newmarket Town taken into consideration, the opportunity to rotate the squad was taken. The game also saw the return to action of skipper Darren Wardley and midfielder Lee Barker after injury.

This encounter began with an early chance for Danny Manser who’s firm close range shot after just two minutes was well saved by the ‘Stow keeper. Shortly afterwards Max Drane shot over and, after shaking off the defenders, Manser placed another shot narrowly wide of the right hand post.

Paddy Hannaway was causing the Stow defence problems down the left flank and he too shot wide after cutting in and letting fly.

Just when it looked as though the gods were against the Walden attack, a squirming run from midfielder Darren Bicknell ended with him cooly converting into the bottom corner after 25 minutes.

This should have been the catalyst for Walden to take charge of proceedings but they entered into a dire period where simple football was abandoned, ball possession became impossible and discipline was generally poor.

Eventually, and not surprisingly, Stowmarket took full advantage of some poor defending and slid a shot home at the far post to equalise. This had the effect of stirring the home side into action and the last 10 minutes of the half was spent almost exclusively in the Walden half of the pitch, with Stow going close to taking full advantage of Walden’s ineptitude on at least two further occasions.

After some discussion during the interval the second period saw a much more determined, disciplined and concentrated effort from Walden that Stowmarket found difficult to deal with and, surprisingly once the second goal had been scored. much of the Stow determination seen during the first half seemed to evaporate.

Goals from George Powell, Patrick Hannaway, an own goal after good work from Drane, another from Bicknell and a good finish from Charlie Norris saw Walden secure the points. It could in the end have been worse for Stowmarket as Joe Anderson, introduced into the action with 20 minutes remaining, had several chances to extend the scoreline.

The much-improved second half performance sees the reserves move into fourth place in the Thurlow Nunn Reserve League One and they are currently the league’s highest goalscorers.

However, on Tuesday night they will hopefully produce a much better all round show in their attempt to progress in the reserves Chell Trophy at home to Newmarket Town.

Walden: Jason Harvey, Suff Jogee, Tom Hannaway (Lee Barker 60), Dave Scraggs, Ryan Dewey, George Powell (Joe Anderson 70), Darren Bicknell, Darren Wardley (c), Paddy Hannaway, Danny Manser (Charlie Norris 80), Max Drane. Unused substitute: Ryan Duers.