SAFFRON WALDEN 1 (A Riches) FC CLACTON 1 (Waters) SAFFRON Walden Town were disappointed to come away with a draw against FC Clacton in the Ridgeons League First Division on Saturday. Assistant manager John Butchart said his team should have taken the t

SAFFRON WALDEN 1

(A Riches)

FC CLACTON 1

(Waters)

SAFFRON Walden Town were "disappointed" to come away with a draw against FC Clacton in the Ridgeons League First Division on Saturday.

Assistant manager John Butchart said his team should have taken the three points from the match that finished 1-1 at Catons Lane.

"It was a slow start from us. Clacton are a strong side and they shut us down quickly, stopping us from playing the ball the way we wanted to.

"We picked it up towards the end of the match and I was very pleased with their performance in the last 20 minutes. We had more chances and we should have won it."

Clacton worked hard as a team and proved tough to break down and it took some clever link-up play between Ryan Cannon and Mat Clarke to set up the Bloods' first shot on goal. A corner was taken quickly by Kevin Vallis and he picked out an unmarked Cannon who attempted a lob over the advancing Clacton keeper, but his shot flew over the cross bar.

Clacton replied with Walden keeper Dave Pledger at full stretch to save a volley from Smith to deny the visitors the lead.

Clacton started to up their game with some strong tackles and Waters should have scored from a header after breaking through the Walden wall.

Minutes later their determination paid off, when Walden's failure to clear a loose ball resulted in Waters slotting home a goal after his third attempt.

The second half started badly for Walden when captain Tommy Butchart was taken off with a twisted ankle after being fouled.

Despite the setback the Bloods made some useful substitutions and were able to gradually up the pressure. Substitute Richard Chadwick helped the bloods to re-establish their passing game and they started to break down the Clacton defence.

Ryan Cannon's one two pass with Richard Chadwick beat the flying tackles and then Cannon's lob just skimmed the bar. Substitute Greg Strong made an instant impact with a cross that Chadwick met with a header, but this was well saved by Rulton.

The breakthrough for Walden came after 79 minutes when Strong's corner kick found the unmarked Alex Riches who placed his header past the keeper.

Saffron Walden were due to play Stanway Rovers in the Essex Senior Cup last night (Wednesday).

They visit Hadleigh United on Saturday in the league.