Young Waders close in on title

Victory over second-placed Royston Town in their final match on April 21 will secure the championship.

The Waders had George Bailey back in their starting line up plus Matt Reynolds back from injury on their bench.

Playing up the slope in the first half the youngsters, although enjoying the larger share of possession, always looked on the verge of hitting top form without quite getting there. Saffron Walden’s plan seemed to be to press at every opportunity when out of possession and to break up the flow of the game thus stopping the Waders’ normal passing game.

On the 22 minutes the Biggleswade youngsters broke from their shackles as Lee Northfield and Bradley Stewart combined for George Bailey to coolly finish.

Bailey also saw an effort flash the wrong side of the post. At the other end Saffron Walden had two free kicks that sailed over the bar, the only other threat being long balls that both Zac Tyrrell and Oliver Fortune handled in relative comfort.

Half time arrived with the Saffron Walden management fairly happy having seen their side suffocate most of the Waders play. The second half though was to be altogether different. Saffron Walden fluked an equaliser on 55 minutes as a shot heading well wide hit a defender diverting it past the stranded Mitch Waters.

That, however, was it for Saffron Walden as the young Waders finally found top gear. Northfield, who spent most of the first half being dragged to the floor, was pulling the strings.

With Josh Holmes driving forward at every opportunity from left back and Matthew Moore, George Riley and Jack Vincent dominating the midfield it all clicked.

Northfield picked the ball up just inside the Walden half, and a fantastic run and four players later he played in Bailey who smashed the Waders back in front.

Five minutes later Bailey returned the favour as Northfield beat the advancing keeper for the third.

The fourth came as Matthew Reynolds pressured the Walden left back who managed to scream one into his own net from 25 yards.

A great second half leaves the young Waders needing a result against Royston next Thursday, April 21 to take the league title. And hopefully with that achieved they then play Aston villa the following day.