HADLEIGH UNITED 0 SAFFRON WALDEN 0 A HARD-fought match against fourth-placed Hadleigh United earned the Bloods a draw in the Ridgeons League First Division, on Saturday. With Tommy Butchart out injured, Alex Riches captained Saffron Walden Town Football

HADLEIGH UNITED 0

SAFFRON WALDEN 0

A HARD-fought match against fourth-placed Hadleigh United earned the Bloods a draw in the Ridgeons League First Division, on Saturday.

With Tommy Butchart out injured, Alex Riches captained Saffron Walden Town Football Club in their away match, which finished goalless.

Assistant coach John Butchart said: "Hadleigh have been flying at the moment, so to hold them to a draw is a good result.

"The league is still tight and the draw keeps us right in contention. If we can get a win in our next game we should jump up the table."

Ben Riches came close to giving Walden the perfect start with a volley after 10 minutes that was deflected off of the goal line.

From the resulting corner striker Richard Chadwick out-jumped the home team's defence only to see his header hit the side netting.

Hadleigh replied with a move started by midfielder Bennett who dribbled through the Walden defence and set up Smith whose powerful shot tested goalkeeper Dave Pledger.

The Bloods' injury list got longer on the half-hour mark when striker Ben Riches limped off with a groin strain, to be replaced by Tom Richardson.

New signing for Walden, Paul Stokes, looked lively and a forced a good save from the Hadleigh keeper Whitewell with a shot on the turn. On the stroke of half-time Tom Richardson almost gave the Bloods the lead with a long-range effort that skimmed the bar.

After the break, Hadleigh came out fighting and had the best of the early chances. Walden keeper Dave Pledger was called on to keep the visitors in the match and make saves from Bennett and Payne, who will both be disappointed not to have done better with their chances.

The Bloods worked hard to keep themselves in the game and towards the end they looked like they could sneak the three points. Kevin Vallis and Mat Clarke combined to set Richard Chadwick free, but his shot was saved the Hadleigh keeper.

In the closing minutes, Chadwick's pace caught the home side's defence off-guard and his through ball found Stokes, but his close range effort was saved by the keeper.

- Saffron Walden lost their match at Haverhill 2-0 in the Ridgeons League Cup Preliminary Round on Tuesday.

Butchart said he was disappointed with the result because his team had worked hard and never gave up.

"Haverhill are a good side and they play in the Ridgeons Premier League, which is the division above us, so it was always going to be tough.

"We played some good football in the second half and we probably should have scored. It was a very entertaining match."

The Bloods' host Cornard United on Saturday in the league, 3pm kick-off.