Saffron Walden Ladies III 0, Sawtry 3 SAWTRY came out on top in the top of the table clash, on Saturday. Walden played the match attackingly and were soon awarded a series of short corners. But despite some accurate hard strikes from Georgiana Coo

Saffron Walden Ladies III 0, Sawtry 3

SAWTRY came out on top in the top of the table clash, on Saturday.

Walden played the match attackingly and were soon awarded a series of short corners.

But despite some accurate hard strikes from Georgiana Coote, Chris Price and Emma Doust, the solid defence of Sawtry and some superb goalkeeping kept Walden from scoring.

A defensive error led to Sawtry seizing the opportunity of scoring their first goal with a one-on-one with Waldens keeper Harriet McCaffery.

Hatty Smales and Flora Warren gelled well together on the right and showed great stick skills culminating in accurate crosses into the D.

Sawtry's second goal came from a penalty flick awarded after a collision with Walden's keeper.

Despite another string of short corners after the break and some narrow misses, it just was not going to be Walden's day.

Sawtry scored their final goal from a short corner deflection and Walden are now lying in second spot in the Cambridgeshire Ladies League Division One.

Letchworth III 1, Saffron Walden II 5

A MUCH-changed Walden side returned from Letchworth with the league points on Saturday.

From the start Walden dominated the play and forced several short corners after good runs from Sophie Thomas.

They eventually turned the pressure into a goal after Annie Withington tapped in after good work from Zoe Bull.

Letchworth quickly levelled after a long ball by-passed the midfield and despite good tracking back from Georgina Deary the forward slotted in past keeper Fiona Holmes.

This setback did not upset the Walden rhythm and Withington scored her second goal after strong running down the left wing by Kate O'Sullivan.

Despite numerous short corners Walden could not extend their lead before the break.

Letchworth started strongly in the second half and looked to have equalised, but the ball was put into the net off a foot.

This gave Walden the necessary wake-up call and skipper Lindsay Willson pressed for more effort.

The visitors put the game beyond doubt after a shot from Emma Knight won a penalty stroke which was coolly slotted home by Lorna Charge.

With this two-goal cushion Walden relaxed and played some fluent hockey with both Claire Pearce and Natalie Chandler pushing forward. The result was rounded off with further goals from O'Sullivan and Bull.

Saffron Walden 0, Ipswich East Suffolk 1

WALDEN were left to rue missed opportunities as Ipswich's early goal was enough for victory.

The hosts were punished for their slow start as the opposition's early pressure resulted in several short corners.

They scored from their second attempt after Walden's defence failed to clear the ball after the original shot.

Walden's midfield and attack created few chances and Ipswich's keeper was on hand to make saves from Angharad Barratt and Nia Evans. Claire Harrington came closest to drawing the score level, unfortunately her clever deflection narrowly missed.

Walden improved in the second half and were the more dominant team, keeping possession better.

However, the visitors defended resolutely and Walden struggled to break them down.

Walden did have the ball in the goal but, under pressure from the Ipswich players, the umpired deemed no home player had touched the ball in the D and only a long corner was awarded to perfectly sum up a frustrating game for Walden.