Bloods Continue Rich Vein Of Form - Saffron Walden Town vs. Stowmarket Town

Natural cover at Catons Lane

The now seemingly guaranteed Friday night deluge of heavy rain threatened to make finding a game which was definitely on tricky. Fortunately much of the Eastern Counties catchment area seemed to miss the worse of it and I was able to see Saffron Walden Town at home to Stowmarket Town in Division One of The Eastern Counties League. Catons Lane has been on my radar for a long time due to the scenic nature of the ground and hopefully my pictures will do it justice. Saffron Walden were hot favourites today, having not lost in the league since the second game of the season against another team with a fantastic ground, March Town United. This meant that they had gone twenty one league games unbeaten, one short of the club record. They had also had a decent run in the FA Vase where they reached the fourth round before going out to fellow Eastern Counties side Stanway Rovers. The closest I'd come to ever seeing Stowmarket Town play is going past the ground on the train to Norwich. Earlier in the season, Saffron Walden won one nil at Green's Meadow.       

Kick off in the shadow of The Church of St Mary

Stowmarket have an early let off when the Saffron Walden attacker can't fully connect with a decent cross into the area and the loose ball is lashed well wide. Stowmarket then have an early chance of their own as a shot following a good pull back is put well over the bar. Both sides are attacking from the off and the Stowmarket forward can only shoot straight at the goalie after a good break. It is then Saffron Walden's turn to hit their opponents on the break and this time the keeper is forced into a good low save from a close range header. From another cross into the area the Saffron Walden player heads the ball just over the cross bar. Stowmarket are then almost caught out by a quick throw but the cross just eludes everyone. The home are almost undone by a long ball forward and it takes a great one handed save to keep the scores level. Just before half time, the Saffron Walden defender almost lets the bounce get the best of him but fortunately for him the keeper is first to the ball and saves his blushes.

Throw down the touchline in front of the wooden stand

The attacking nature of the match continues in the second half and the Saffron Walden player comes close with a diving header from a long throw. The Stowmarket defender then makes a great defensive header from another ball in to the box shortly afterwards. The home side are then given a let off when a poor touch by the centre goes unpunished by the visitors. The away side do however take the lead shortly afterwards. The Stowmarket forward gets in behind the home defence and he is first to the ball and he is able to prod the ball home past the advancing keeper. Saffron Walden now pile to forward to keep the unbeaten run going and the Stowmarket defender does well to clear under pressure. The Saffron Walden winger is next to test the Stowmarket defence, cutting in off the wing but the keeper is able to make a good low save to keep his side ahead. The defence has to be on their game to make a vital block and the ball goes out for a corner. From this corner, a Saffron Walden player is able to get free of his marker and power the ball home to equalise. Stowmarket are undeterred and a long range effort goes just over and lands on top of the net. Saffron Walden do however claim the winner in the closing stages. Another long throw is flicked on and the flick on finds the attacker at the back post and he heads home.

Saffron Walden attack in the first half.

The closest station to Saffron Walden is Audley End. Trains here run from Liverpool Street and the journey takes forty five minutes. While the walk doesn't look too bad on a map, it is a punishing two mile march up and down hill. I thoroughly recommend catching a bus unless you fancy some serious exercise. I took the 301 bus back to the station after the game and I believe a couple of routes go back to the station. While the walk was fairly devastating, Saffron Walden is definitely worth the effort. It is a gorgeous market with plenty to see. In terms of pubs before the ground I first went to The Duke Of York at the top of the High Street which had BT and Sky Sports for the early kick off. After that I went to The Kings Arms which was good but also very popular and there was sadly nowhere to sit or I would have stayed longer. The ground is then a short ten minute walk from the town centre. The clubhouse did the job and had the usual selection of drinks. The bacon burger from the tea hut was the best (although probably worst for me) that I have had this season. While I was waiting for my bus I went to The Victory which is right next door to the ground. The bus then took five minutes to get back to the station.

Stowmarket attack The Church End in the first half