Thetford Town 2, Saffron Walden 1 THE Bloods were muscled off the ball by a strong Thetford side in a 2-1 defeat in the Ridgeons League First Division on Saturday. Assistant manager John Butchart said his team were too lightweight to compete agai

Thetford Town 2, Saffron Walden 1

THE Bloods were muscled off the ball by a strong Thetford side in a 2-1 defeat in the Ridgeons League First Division on Saturday.

Assistant manager John Butchart said his team were too "lightweight" to compete against an experienced and physical Thetford Town at the Mundford Road ground.

"I was disappointed we didn't get a draw and we were unlucky to have a goal disallowed," said Butchart. "We've got some young players in our side who are still developing their upper-body strength and they were pushed off the ball too easily."

In a bright start Walden's quick winger Mitchell Das darted through the home defence and lobbed Thetford's Ross Bilman in goal. However, the referee judged Das to be offside and Walden were denied the perfect start.

It was Thetford who made the breakthrough midway into the first half when Walden conceded a free kick.

Greg Devlin hit a hopeful 60-yard shot from inside his own half which caught Walden's goalkeeper Anthony Choat backpedalling and went in under the bar.

Thetford doubled their lead shortly before the break when Joe Murphy conceded a penalty and Lee Brewer delivered from the spot.

In the second half Walden were also given a chance to score from the penalty spot and striker Brad Green halved Thetford's lead.

Searching for the draw, Green dribbled through the home defence to set up Spike Bell with a shot that Bilman pushed wide for a corner.

Steve Leys shrugged off his marker and split the defence with a pass to Das who fired into the arms of Bilman.

Kevin Vallis tried a long-range strike that Bilman tipped over the bar while substitute Joseph Anderson was disappointed to see his lob just skim the crossbar in the closing minutes.

"I think Choat's confidence in goal has been knocked by a few mistakes and he should have done better with the free kick," said Butchart.

"We'll see how Dave Pledger does in training and he might be back in contention for the next match."

Striker Ben Riches, who has been out through injury, could also be available for selection when Walden take on FC Clacton at Catons Lane on Saturday.