Saffron Walden Town guaranteed at least a ninth place finish in an impressive first Thurlow Nunn Premier Division season as they beat Swaffham Town 3-1 last night (Wednesday).

The Bloods started and finished the game very well and took a deserved lead in the ninth minute. A corner fell nicely for Perry Moody to steer a volley in from 10 yards out.

Walden continued to press until Swaffham won a penalty, out of the blue, in the 22nd minute.

A left wing cross appeared to be going over everyone’s head when Jo Jackson ran into Dan Grindrod in the box and the referee awarded a spot-kick. Alex Vincent comfortably slotted away the equaliser.

The match continued to be a tight battle in midfield with Swaffham were fighting hard to get some valuable points in their relegation battle.

Charlie Dicker replaced Stuart Wardley up front in the 69th minute and immediately injected some pace into Walden’s attacks.

From a quick break in the 73rd minute Walden won a corner and the resulting cross was met by Ryan Fleming whose looping header found the back of the net for 2-1.

They finished the game in style with a rapid attack between Craig Calver and Dicker in the 80th minute.

Dicker broke clear and looked set to score when he was tripped in the box by Swaffham’s captain, Dean Miller, who was subsequently sent-off.

Calver took the penalty and scored to put Walden two goals ahead.

The win keeps Walden in ninth place, and if Long Melford and Hadleigh slip up on Saturday, Walden could pinch seventh place with a win at Brantham Athletic in their final game.