Men's 1st XI vs Cambridge City 2

With a 100% record after their first three games, the 1s were looking to go 4 from 4 heading into the half-term break. Cambridge City 2s stood in their way and should never be underestimated due to the depth of talent at their disposal.

Early warning signs were there for the 1s as City earned an early penalty corner, which was well-saved by Nick Chandler. Buoyed by their recent form, Walden established a foothold in the game and dominated the opening 25 minutes with some effective pressing and slick build up play. In this time the 1s accelerated into a 2-0 lead, Alex Newitt scoring his 2nd goal of the season, after a slick move through midfield and Spencer Hill scoring his 7th following-up from his own penalty corner effort. However, in the final 10 minutes of the half, a seemingly cruising Walden took their foot off the gas and began to lose their discipline. A highly dubious City goal just before half-time meant the score-line was much closer than the play should have reflected.

 After refocusing at half-time, the 1s were looking to show the same superiority after break as they had early in the game. However, they were dealt a blow early in the half as City equalised from a well-worked penalty corner, their 3rd shot on target of the game. Walden continued to look dangerous on the break, but lacking much of the fluidity they had shown in the last 3 games. After a great break from Alex Newitt, the 1s seemed to have re-taken the lead as Alex Flynn knocked the ball in on his reverse at the second time of asking, but the umpires eventually and controversially disallowed it for using the back of the stick. However, Walden ultimately got the result they deserved 10 minutes later, Alex Flynn arriving late at the back post to meet a cross which eventually found it’sway over the line via a City defenders stick.

Despite the scrappy nature of the game, it’s another useful 3 points in the bag for 1s. They head into the week off with their 100% record intact and look forward to an early season top-of-the-table clash with Chelmsford after the break.