Five-star seconds start year in style

Saffron Walden Ladies II 5 Welwyn III 1 Saffron Walden seconds started their league campaign with an emphatic win against newly promoted Welwyn Ladies. From the start Walden lay siege to the oppositions D, but despite excellent runs from Marlie Bu

Saffron Walden Ladies II 5 Welwyn III 1

Saffron Walden seconds started their league campaign with an emphatic win against newly promoted Welwyn Ladies.

From the start Walden lay siege to the oppositions D, but despite excellent runs from Marlie Buckridge and Kate O Sullivan, Walden could not score that elusive first goal.

The breakthrough came after 20 minutes when Sophie Thomas having taken a short corner picked up the loose ball following a shot from Amy Huson and fired the ball into the net, giving the keeper no chance.

Shortly before half-time Claire Atack doubled the lead.

In the second half Walden threatened to run riot and further goals from Zoe Bull and Sophie Fry (2), gave Walden a commanding lead.

Welwyn continued to press forward however and were rewarded with a late consolation goal which Walden keeper Fiona Holmes had little chance with.

Saffron Walden Ladies IV 4 Rothamsted 0-

Saffron Walden Ladies fourths secured their first comprehensive victory of the new season with good movement of the ball across midfield by Olivia Potter, Lucy Price and Ellie Price.

The feisty forwards were unstoppable in their attack with some great runs along the right wing by Natalie Chandler.

Annie Witherington scored her first hat-trick for the team and Rachel Sumner celebrated in style when she added to the score line.

Saffron Walden Ladies V 5 Ely Ladies 1

Saffron Walden Ladies V defeated Ely in their inaugural match on Saturday.

Both sides were evenly matched in the first half and the game did not light up until the introduction of Tilly Sleven who came on at right half. Her aggressive running opened up the Ely defence and created a lot of chances which were not converted and the teams went in level at half-time.

Five minutes into the second half Walden's defence backed off an attacking player and allowed a free shot at goal which was converted.

However Walden responded well and soon equalised through Molly Wyatt. Sleven scored the second from the right and Wyatt added the third.

Ely just couldn't handle the fast attack of the Walden front line and from a penalty corner Wyatt completed her hat-trick.

Georgianna Coote scored the fifth and final goal of the day with another telling run down the left seeing her find the net.

- Dunmow Ladies were on form at the weekend, defeating Southend and Benfleet seconds 4-1.

The mens first team didn't fare so well, losing 4-1 to Bentwood thirds, but the seconds beat Bishop's Stortford sixths 2-1.