AFC Barnston got their pre-season schedule off to a flying start with a 2-0 win over Saffron Walden Town Reserves on Saturday.

New boss Luke Nash gave debuts to no less than nine new players , with the average age of the squad being just 19-years-old.

The hosts started brightly with Dan Norris and Steven Rolfe playing together for the first time marshaling the back line well. They opened the scoring with a superb left foot strike from the lively Tom Hayes from 22 yards out nestling in the roof of the net.

Barnston continued to press and kept their shape defensively, although Walden pushed hard in the second half and brought out two great saves from goalkeeper Shane Hawkins.

Barnston looked threatening on the break with Dan Neat and Mitch Simmons linking up well, and the second goal came from a well-worked free kick. Nash, out wide, played in to Hayes who supplied the cross for a well-placed header from the impressive Keiron Heap.

Walden made constant changes to freshen up the team but could not make a breakthrough.