The old & wise + young & zippy combination from Saffron Walden came up second best against the similar blend of Cambridge South 4ths, who triumphed via superior team play and some outstanding individual performances

The home team dominated the first half and reached the break five-nil up, with goals from:

• Captain Greaves - lurking on the P spot to pounce on a loose ball after a speculative Wilco Dijkstra hit into the D.

• Alex Pashley - the best move of the game, with a pinpoint Greaves pass to the rampaging Paul South who didn't break stride but passed to ace newcomer Max Holgate who then crossed to the far post for Alex Pashley to prod the ball into the net.

• Rupert Espley - this time Alex P turned provider to Rupert, again at the far post.

• Max Holgate - building on his man of the match performance on his debut in central midfield to shoot home from range after taking a slip pass from Paul South.

• Paul South - getting on to the scoresheet himself with a powerful effort, assisted by that man Greaves subtly blocking the keeper's view. It would have got past the keeper anyway, said Paul.

Throughout the half the whole Cambridge South team were able to play with fluency, driven on particularly by Pauland Max, passing early, spreading the play, using the wings. This meant that everyone got into the game and Safffron Walden were regularly under pressure, with further chances going begging due to excellent goalkeeping by their stopper, a couple of…er…misses and, on one occasion, the goalpost coming to the rescue after a Greaves deflection off one of many crosses from Max.

Saffron Walden did get back into the game early in the second half but the home defence of Radford, Ho, Larkinson and assured debutant, James Piper, proved impregnable and prevented any shots. Keeper Matt Gower showed he was concentrating with a cultured kick on a loose ball to clear it away from the D.

At this stage Cambridge South appeared to be tiring, not being used to so much possession and positive running. Nevertheless two more goals came courtesy of:

• Alex Pashley - turning defenders inside out at the top of the D with some dazzling pirouettes before slapping the ball past the keeper, and the conveniently positioned Greaves (i.e. directly in front of said keeper), for his second of the match.

• John Greaves - once again in the right place five yards out to smash the ball into goal after a melee left everyone else looking around for the ball.

All in all, a more than satisfactory result and team performance, auguring well for the rest of the season.