Saffron Walden Town returned to winning ways with a 2-0 success over Hadleigh United at Catons Lane.

Saffron Walden Reporter: Joe Murphy receives his player of the month award from Saffron Walden Town boss Stuart WardleyJoe Murphy receives his player of the month award from Saffron Walden Town boss Stuart Wardley (Image: Archant)

Stuart Wardley’s men had lost three games in a row in the Thurlow Nunn Eastern Counties Premier Division and had some key players missing on Saturday.

Under-18 defender Joe Cunning was given his first start alongside Wardley and showed his ability at the senior level.

Hadleigh had the first chance of note, as Kyron Andrews stung the palms of Neil Sullivan, who smothered the loose ball.

The visitors went close again soon after following a mistake by Julian Simon-Parson as Andrews broke for a great chance, but O’Sullivan produced an excellent save.

Tom Lakin went close for Walden on his return to the side, running on to Charlie Portway’s pass and forcing a good save from Hadleigh keeper Nick Punter.

Simon-Parson made amends for his earlier error by winning the ball in a tackle and firing a dipping shot goalwards, but Punter made a fingertip save to put it over the crossbar.

The Bloods pressure paid off on 26 minutes, though, as Portway and Lakin combined well, with the latter running on to a perfect pass to slot home.

Man of the match Lakin went close to a second when his header went just wide of the target.

But the Bloods began the second half well and doubled their advantage eight minutes after the restart.

March’s player of the month Lewis Francis kept the ball near the corner flag and slipped it to Simon-Parson, who crossed into the six-yard box for Greg Strong to head home.

Portway went close to adding a third after that, but saw his effort come back off the crossbar.

Easter Monday’s match against Histon fell victim to a waterlogged pitch and Bloods are set to travel to Fakenham Town this weekend.

The reserves, meanwhile, have a home fixture against their Wivenhoe Town counterparts, after seeing their trip to Stowmarket Town – a repeat of their Chell Trophy final meeting – postponed on Tuesday.

Saffron Walden: O’Sullivan, Bell, Ledwith, Mallett, Wardley, Cunning, Storng, Simon-Parsons, Lakin, Portway, Francis. Subs: Murphy, Naylor, Okosi, Bradley.