SAFFRON WALDEN 2 (Flack, Newman) WOOTON BLUE CROSS 2 (Daniels, Matyszienwicz) SAFFRON Walden drew their match with Wooton Blue Cross in the Extra Preliminary round of the FA Cup, on Saturday. The 2-2 draw means that a replay was due to be held at Wooton

SAFFRON WALDEN 2

(Flack, Newman)

WOOTON BLUE CROSS 2

(Daniels, Matyszienwicz)

SAFFRON Walden drew their match with Wooton Blue Cross in the Extra Preliminary round of the FA Cup, on Saturday.

The 2-2 draw means that a replay was due to be held at Wooton, last night (Wednesday).

Assistant coach, John Butchart, said: "It was a typical cup match with a lot of end-to-end action, but the lads will be disappointed with the result.

"The two teams cancelled each other out and a draw is probably a fair result."

The Bloods made a lively start at Catons Lane and after 12 minutes Tommy Butchart curled a free-kick over the wall, only to have his effort saved by visiting custodian, Myles Masiah.

The first test of Walden's keeper, Dave Pledger, came after 20 minutes, when a low drive to the bottom left hand corner forced a good stop.

Walden have tried out a number of keepers over their last few matches and Pledger showed enough form to stake a claim to the position.

Mr Butchart said: "I was pleased with his performance in goal today; he made a couple of good saves. The two goals that Wooton scored were both long shots and I think one was a deflection."

Walden made their breakthrough on 23 minutes with a move that started from a Butchart free-kick. The Wooton defence were unable to clear the ball and it was put back into the danger area for central defender, Peter Flack, to head them into the lead.

After 36 minutes of solid pressure, Walden were able to double their lead with a goal that was scrambled into the back of the net by the second defender to make it on to the score sheet - Ben Newman.

Just before the break, Craig Daniels fired Wooton back into contention with a superb strike that did not give Pledger a chance.

The goal gave hope to the visitors and they came out the second half looking the more determined team, putting pressure on the Walden defence and forcing some good saves from the keeper.

For Walden, Kevin Vallis looked industrious in the midfield and kept the Wooton defence busy with his runs into the box, but the best chance of the second half fell to Richard Chadwick who failed to head home from close range.

The fate of the replay was sealed 15 minutes from full time when Kristoff Matyszienwicz hit a volley into the bottom left hand corner and levelled the scores.