ETON MANOR 3 (A Stevenson SAFFRON WALDEN 0 SAFFRON Walden Town Football Club were knocked out of the FA Vase in the qualifying round, on Saturday. Top-scorer for Eton Manor, Anton Stevenson, bagged a hat-trick to end the Blood s run in the competition. A

ETON MANOR 3

(A Stevenson

SAFFRON WALDEN 0

SAFFRON Walden Town Football Club were knocked out of the FA Vase in the qualifying round, on Saturday.

Top-scorer for Eton Manor, Anton Stevenson, bagged a hat-trick to end the Blood's run in the competition. Assistant coach John Butchart said he was "disappointed" with his team's performance on the day.

"The lads were not in the game today and we had at least seven or eight players who did not perform. This is unacceptable and I said a few strong words to the lads after the game. We've got good support for this team and it's not on if they don't make the effort."

Ryan Cannon on the left-wing was Walden's most positive player with some good runs into the box. After 10 minutes, Cannon sent a warning to the home team with a fierce volley that struck the post.

Eton Manor soon found their composure and Stevenson scored his first goal on 20 minutes after beating two Walden defenders and keeper, Kieron Badcock. The remainder of the first-half was played out with neither team threatening to score.

Early in the second half, Walden had a good chance to level the match from a Greg Strong free-kick. Stuart Kingham was able to out-jump the defence only to see his header rattle the cross bar.

Eton Manor took control of the match and a neat one-two with Amato gave Stevenson his second goal of the match, after 53 minutes. The hat-trick was completed 10 minutes later when sloppy defending from Walden gave Stevenson time and space to pick his spot and make it 3-0.

Walden weren't helped when they got off to a bad start before the game when an accident on the motorway led to some of the players not turning up to the ground until 10 minutes before kick-off.

Mr Butchart said: "If we can take anything from this game, it was good experience for some of the younger players. Eton were very fast and you can't give them room on the ball. We needed to close them down quicker."

The Blood's next game is a league match away to Thetford Town on Saturday September 29.

"They are top of the league so it will be a tough game," said Mr Butchart. "I think this game is just what the lads need.