This friendly was, for long stretches, more competitive than the final scoreline would imply. And as such it provided a useful work-out prior to the league recommencing next week.

The opening twenty minutes were open but scoreless, with both sides throwing players forward; Saffron Walden had the majority of the opportunities in this period. They eventually took a deserved lead when a turnover led to an overload in our circle. Fortunately for our confidence, we were back on terms within two minutes, as Rob collected a rebound off the ‘keeper and casually rolled the ball into the net... only for a defensive stick to appear from nowhere and stop the shot, meaning Rob had to force home on the second attempt, thereby averting any lemon nominations.

The visitors went back in front in similar circumstances to the opener, intercepting a clearance and picking out a man free in the circle, who added a neat deflected finish. Again, their lead was short lived, this time the equaliser coming from a short. The ball was worked around to Stuart, who played a marvellously perceptive reverse stick pass wide of the far post/went for a shot on the reverse stick from a ridiculous position and missed so badly that it turned into a pass (delete as you believe appropriate) which found Rob, lurking in space ready for another tap-in. It was 3-2 to us soon after, as a cross from the right from Rupert took a deflection up off a defensive stick and found Tom at the far post, who neatly deposited the flying ball into the goal.

The next goal came in what was probably the key thirty seconds of the match. Some good one-touch passing created a clear chance for Saffron Walden, but the deflected ball went just wide of the post. From the resulting 16, we worked the ball upfield and found Rob near the top of the circle. Confronted with a group of defenders and an advancing ‘keeper, Rob went for a reverse stick sweep, got under it, and saw it lob perfectly high over the gaggle of players and drop into the net. 4-2 instead of 3-3 is a massive difference, especially when all-square would have been a fairer reflection of the balance of play.

If the first half had been competitive throughout, with both sides having a period of ascendancy, the second saw us dominate. That is not to say it was one-way traffic, Saffron Walden retained a threat up front, but we were now in control of the midfield, regularly intercepting passes and otherwise turning over the visitors attempts to clear their lines. As a result a steady stream of chances were created, with the Saffron Walden ‘keeper the busiest man on the pitch.

Goals came at regular intervals; the fifth when a wayward through-ball deflected off a defensive stick and bobbled over a further two to set Tom in the clear. He drew the ‘keeper, rounded him and slid the ball home. Six came from a quick counter which saw the ball bouncing around in the goalmouth until it dropped to Rob on the reverse sweep, bang, goal. The seventh was our best of the game. Ali took a long corner back to Joe, who then fed Rupert on the byline. Rupert’s cross to the back post was neatly converted by Olly, who had got in front of his marker to gain the space to deflect home. The eighth came from another counter-attack. The initial circle incursion was broken up by the Saffron Walden defence, only for the ball to run kindly to Tom for a simple finish inside the unguarded near post.

There were other near things, Ali off the outside of the post, Tom having a shot smothered by the ‘keeper, Ali having the ball plucked from his stick as he was about to finish (by a teammate!), but that was the limit of the scoring. Probably a perfect friendly, as the team improved over the course of the match. Our communication wasn’t great in the first half, which created disorganisation at the back that Saffron Walden exploited. When we got talking more in the second period, we looked much more solid defensively and fluent in attack. Lesson learned, and so on? Hope so.

Next Saturday, its back to the league stuff (weather permitting) with a game against a Newmarket side that have found their feet in this Division since our last game against them, winning four straight games prior to the Christmas break. The top of the table is extremely close, with just two points covering the top four sides. All to play for in the next three months...