SAFFRON WALDEN TOWN v IPSWICH WANDERERS

RIDGEONS LEAGUE DIV 1 - 21ST AUGUST 2004

Ipswich Wanderers travelled to Ridgeons League newcomers Saffron Walden Town for the first game of the season. Under a cloudy sky with the sun breaking through to cast a warm glow over the immaculate refurbished ground, Jason Dozzell led out his full complement of players who looked hungry for action.
It was after only 3 minutes that a clearance from Jamie Stannard, the Wanderers 'keeper, found it's way into the Saffron Walden area where the 'keeper mishandled and David GRIMWOOD had the simplest of tasks to tap the ball into an empty net. Saffron Walden were having trouble dealing with a lively Wanderers attack, giving away numerous free kicks and keeping the pressure on their own defence.
On 16 minutes, pushed down the left hand side, Rene SWANN jinked his way into the Saffron Walden area and shot from an acute angle for Wanderers second.
Wanderers were in total control of the game with Saffron Walden seeming to struggle with the level of football expected of them. Their sparodic attacks were posing no threat to the Wanderers defence in which Jason Dozzell and Andrew Crump were dominant.
An innocuous cross from the right by Saffron Walden looked as though it was going to be easily cleared but Andrew CRUMP mysteriously headed the ball into his own net passed a bemused Jamie Stannard. Thus, after 20 minutes, Saffron Walden were back in the game having looked down and out. However, 5 minutes later Wanderers restored their two goal lead when Ricky Martin crossed deeply from the left and Jorrell Hurd, far on the right, put the ball back into area where Rene SWANN was lurking to head home unmarked.
The sparse crowd was certainly getting value for money and seeing plenty of action. Saffron Walden were slowly getting themselves back into the game but virtually made a recovery impossible when, after giving away a corner on the right, Hurd powerfully hit the ball onto the head of Jason DOZZELL to bring up the half time score of

Saffron Walden 1, Wanderers 4.

The second half started much where the first had finished but with Saffron Walden now finding their attacking rhythm. News of the first half goal fest had obviously spread as the crowd had swelled to over 100 and they were hoping for some more excitement. However, as Saffron Walden played themselves back into the game, Wanderers were finding it more difficult in attack and a number of substitutions seemed to have disrupted their style.
By the end of the game Saffron Walden had taken control and Wanderers were lucky not to concede at least one more goal.

Saffron Walden1, Ipswich Wanderers 4