David Boyd scored for Walden in Saturday's defeat

SAFFRON Walden men’s firsts missed out on putting daylight between themselves and the rest of the chasing pack as they lost 4-2 away at second place Southend on Saturday.

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For the second week running Walden did not travel well and were outplayed for the opening 15 minutes, during which time Southend took the lead with a deflection.

Walden battled to get back into the game and did manage to force a number of short corners but the hosts continued to stretch Walden, with Boyd’s young side struggling to break the opposing defence.

It was much the same in the opening exchanges of the second half, with Southend extending their lead from a short corner which arguably should not have been, a foul on Alex Flynn being missed by both umpires.

Although Walden started to play better, the wind was firmly taken out of their sails as Southend rattled in two quick-fire goals, both brilliant finishes whistling past Tom Chapman in the Walden net.

A late flurry from Walden was rewarded with two goals 15 minutes from full time. Toby Watson brilliantly turned home a deflection from a ball into the D from Andy Boyd, before Boyd scored himself from another slick short corner routine.

But it was too little to late as Southend closed out the game.

Next up, Walden take on local rivals Bishop’s Stortford at home on Saturday.

• MEANWHILE, Walden’s U18s take on National League Harleston Magpies at home on Sunday for a place in the quarter finals of the National Cup.