THETFORD TOWN 1 (Zdrenka) SAFFRON WALDEN 1 (Kingham) SAFFRON Walden Town Football Club earned a credible draw against Thetford Town in the Ridgeons League First Division on Saturday. Assistant manager John Butchart was pleased with his team s performance

THETFORD TOWN 1

(Zdrenka)

SAFFRON WALDEN 1

(Kingham)

SAFFRON Walden Town Football Club earned a credible draw against Thetford Town in the Ridgeons League First Division on Saturday.

Assistant manager John Butchart was pleased with his team's performance in their 1-1 draw at in-form Thetford.

"The lads were disappointed not to come away with maximum points today," he said. "We definitely had the better of the chances.

"It was a real improvement on the 3-0 defeat to Eton Manor in the FA vase. I had some strong words with boys and we put in a firm training session earlier in the week and today they came out fighting. It was a good response from them, but a shame not to win."

Thetford were dealt a blow with their first choice goalkeeper injured and they were forced to draft in teenager Matthew Terry to keep the Walden attack in check. The return of Bloods goalkeeper Dave Pledger from injury settled the Walden wall into restricting Thetford's top goalscorer Carl Pask to just one shot on goal throughout the match.

Richards was first to test the visitors' defence with a shot on the turn that Pledger held.

Kieron Badcock should have put the Bloods in front with a lob, but the back peddling Perry was quick to spot the danger for Thetford. Minutes later Greg Strong tried a lob from a free kick, but goal-keeper Terry was on hand to deny Walden the lead.

The agile Terry then twice pulled off finger tip saves to deny Walden's Kevin Vallis a certain goal.

The Bloods made their breakthrough in the closing minutes of the first-half when captain Tommy Butchart's corner kick was headed in by Stuart Kingham to put the visitors in the lead.

The second-half got off to a lively start with Thetford looking for the equaliser; a ball from Bloomfield through a melee of players found Zdrenka at the far post to tap home the easiest of goals to draw his side level.

From then on it turned into one-way traffic with Walden bringing their young guns Matthew Clarke and Spike Bell into the attack. Bell made an instant impact with his pace beating the Thetford rearguard to volley a shot that just skimmed the crossbar.

Strong and Bell's link up play started to run the home defence ragged and Bell should have put the Bloods in front from close range but his shot flew over the bar.

The game was held up for 10 minutes when Walden's captain Tommy Butchart was taken off with an injury.

The Bloods' next league game is away to March Town United on Saturday.

John Butchart said: "I'm expecting a tough game because they have got some very experienced players and they are playing well this season.

"On a positive note for us, Richard Chadwick is back from suspension so that will be a boost for the team.