Bloods satisfied with eighth place in Ridgeons League

Ipswich Wanderers 0 Saffron Walden Town 3 FIRST team captain Tommy Butchart smashed home Saffron Walden Town FC s final goal of the season as they completed a 3-0 rout of Ipswich Wanderers on Saturday. The Bloods cruised to a comfortable victory

Ipswich Wanderers 0

Saffron Walden Town 3

FIRST team captain Tommy Butchart smashed home Saffron Walden Town FC's final goal of the season as they completed a 3-0 rout of Ipswich Wanderers on Saturday.

The Bloods cruised to a comfortable victory in their final match of a far-from-comfortable season in the Ridgeons League First Division.

Goalless after the first 45 minutes, striker Ben Riches, who has struggled with form and fitness all season, bagged the opening goal of the match after 49 minutes.

Consistent left-back Greg Strong made it 2-0 when he headed in a free kick from Jack Higgs after 80 minutes, and Butchart made it three with a fine strike just before the final whistle.

Assistant manager John Butchart was delighted to see his son score the final goal of the match and felt it was a fitting end to the season.

"Tommy got his just rewards today," he said. "He was injured the other week with a split lip, but he was determined to play the last game of the season and I don't think I could have kept him on the bench if I wanted to.

"It was a physical game and Tommy and Kevin Riley had to battle hard in the middle of the park.

"It was great for Greg to score in front of his mum and dad. He's a great left back, he loves his football, and his family always come and support him and the club."

The Bloods finished in eighth place in the league after a season which has had its fair share of ups and downs.

"At the beginning of the season you set your stall out to win the league, so obviously it's disappointing when you don't," said Butchart. "It's important to finish in the top half of the table, which we have done, so we can qualify for the FA Cup.

"Eighth place is a respectable position to finish in the Ridgeons League which is a tough league to compete in. We were plagued by bad weather and cancellations which, after a good start, cost us our momentum.

"We've worked hard as a club and we've run three teams this year with about 60 players so it's been a challenge to organise.

"Saffron Walden Town Reserves won the Creake Charity Shield cup final which is a feather in the cap and a bit of silverware for the club. Our veterans' team could also still get into a final."

The football club will hold their end-of-season presentation evening at their ground on Friday May 14.

Catons Lane will host the Eastern County Cup Finals on Sunday. The under 14s will kick off at 11am and the under 16s at 2pm.