24th January saw Saffron Walden's 5th team visit Warners Bridge for 1.30 pushback against the winless 5th XI....a somewhat more palatable time than the 5pm our 4th team had away against the same oppositon....thanks SW.

After improved performances in recent weeks but without the results to match, the 5s went into this game, hoping for the best. However the side had lost some key characters. Midfield wannabe Will Harman was said to be surveying the Chelmsford real estate market, with unsung stalwart of the side Paul Stoner otherwise engaged, and ever improving left back Riley Cowland helping out his mates in the 6th team. Come back soon lads!

Despite these notable absentees, the team that took to the pitch was full of it's usual blend of youth and experience. Bolstered by the return of the energetic Mark Butt from his Winter jollies, and Russ Andrews bringing that heady blend of experience, class, and no little effort. Mark Hopkins provided an uncompromising figure at the back, and completing the returning fantastic four was Arran Higginson, who having plied his wares in higher echelons of recent times, arrived to offer the thrust needed through the middle that the side has at times lacked this season.

So we headed to the battle, looking to the exuberant young talents of Yannick and Ryan to offer pace, creativity and the bullets for the potent firearm of Captain Goddard and his forward line wingman Nick, whilst Stubbo and Aaron anchored the centre field.

With Elvo returned to the right side, ready to maraud forward at every opportunity and Noel marshalling the back line with Hoppo and the heavy stick, flanked to the left by Swiss Army Knife Mark Butt and the ever reliable Neal Misell between the posts, both ends of the side looked ready to rock n roll.

....and that's, unfortunately, where excellent theory met slightly less promising reality.

Saffron Walden rolled out a side with a heavy bias of players in the 20-40 age range....borderline cheating at this level, and they proceeded to demonstrate that youthful exuberance and buckets of experience may be one thing, but pace power and athleticism can overcome our eclectic blend more often than not.

Despite that we started strong. The 5s saw a lot of the early ball, playing some slick passing moves. Ryan looked a threat down the right, demonstrating he had the pace to take him past his opposite number, and with Yannick drifting in to some good positions from the left the first big chance of the half fell out way. Good work out right saw a cross field pass break to Yannick in the D with just the keeper to beat. Unfortunately this time, the moment passed without reward and we kept pressing.

Halfway through the first half disaster struck...as we pressed forward looking for the opening, Walden cleared a ball from their own half under pressure, and despite Stubbo making a timely intervention from bottom diamond, the attempted pass to set the team back away again was intercepted and our opponents poured forward in numbers, culminating in the first goal of the game despite the best efforts or our rear guard. One nil, against the run of play, and we licked our wounds, suited up and went again.

Once again we pushed forward, with solid play yielding some good territorial positions, but not quite the final ball or finishing touch to get us level....and then it happened again. Stubbo drifted out to the right, picked up the ball by the line and looked to shift the ball forwards....but unfortunately Walden surrounded the ball with not an available old gold recipient in sight. Possession was once again stolen, the foe poured forward....and the outcome was the same. 2-nil.

Half time came and we talked of the chances we'd make, the need to focus on being brave with the ball, releasing it early when the opportunity arose, and other great intentions.

But when all was said and done, the opposition's greater athleticism started to tell. Sterling works was down by all in the second half, with Russ and Mark working diligently in midfield, Matt sticking to an increasingly difficult task at left back, Noel looking to set us away from a never ending stream of 16s, and the defensive unit repelling multiple short corners with well organised rear guard action. But the pressure told, and Walden grabbed a couple more. Younger, fitter, faster.

It wasn't for a lack of effort, but sometimes you just have to hold your hands up and acknowledge when a better team has had their day. We had our moments....especially in the first half where some nice combination play between Nick and Tim created promising openings, Ryan and Yannick showed skill, pace and endeavour, and Arran carried the ball forwards dangerously.

A 4-nil defeat. we lick our wounds, and go again next week in search of that illusive first win. Braintree away, where I've no doubt the officials will be as fantastically fair as Matt and Dave were in the grand job they did in this game.

Thanks to Mark B for a taa worthy of a better result to pair it with, and Simon P for the encouragement and observations from the sidelines....we miss you on the field, but great to have a voice in the dugout.

OSHC MoM: Noel Smith and Nick Popham

Next week, it's young Riley Cowland to report on the team's endeavours, and we look forward to providing a performance he can gush enthusiastically about. 6-7 and all that.

Stubbo.