MARCH TOWN O SAFFRON WALDEN 3 (P Flack, B Riches, D Badcock) SAFFRON Walden Town Football Club celebrated a return to form when they beat March Town in the Ridgeons League First Division on Saturday. Despite losing their captain Tommy Butchart through in

MARCH TOWN O

SAFFRON WALDEN 3

(P Flack, B Riches, D Badcock)

SAFFRON Walden Town Football Club celebrated a return to form when they beat March Town in the Ridgeons League First Division on Saturday.

Despite losing their captain Tommy Butchart through injury, the Bloods put in a solid performance to come away with the three points.

Playing away from home was always going to be "tough," said assistant coach John Butchart, but he was delighted with his team's 3-0 victory.

A goal from Peter Flack after 34 minutes gave Walden the lead they had been threatening, and second-half goals from Ben Riches and Dale Badcock secured them the points.

"March Town are a good young team and they worked their socks off," said Mr Butchart. "It was a very fast first-half, but we kept control of the game and stopped them from scoring.

"We knew we had more height in our squad and were better in the air, so we played to our strengths and it was no surprise that all our goals came from headers."

Mr Butchart said it was a good team effort, but singled out goalkeeper Dave Pledger for his "awesome" kicking display, and Matt Clarke for a strong performance up front.

A bright start to the match saw winger Spike Bell use his pace to beat the March defence and set up Matt Clarke whose shot was saved by goalkeeper Goode. Ryan Cannon and Spike Bell's combined passing move then beat the home defence, only for Bell's header to be tipped over by the March keeper.

Striker Brand replied for March with a darting run into the box, but Dave Pledger was there to gather. Minutes later the skilful Karama dribbled round his marker to fire in a fierce volley that Pledger, at full stretch, tipped over the bar.

On the half hour Spike Bell's pace beat two defenders to gain a corner and from the resulting kick, towering defender Peter Flack out-jumped the March defence to head home Walden's first goal and put them into the lead.

The second half saw the Bloods dominate the play with Alex Riches, Matthew Danbury and Michael Barker all solid in defence and making sure the opposition had no more shots on goal.

A corner by Kevin Vallis was met by Ben Riches who headed down into the March goal to increase the lead.

In the closing minutes the Bloods' stand-in captain Alex Riches planted a cross on to the head of Dale Badcock who put the ball in the net to make it three.

With a game in hand, Mr Butchart believes that the win puts them right back in contention for the top positions.

The Bloods' host FC Clacton on Saturday, 1.15pm kick-off at Catons Lane.