Men's 1st XI vs CofP M2

Following a pre-season full of change, the 1s began life under Player-Coach Grant Ward with a tough away trip to City of Peterborough 2s.

Despite a delayed start and a less than ideal warm-up, Walden started the first half brightly. Breaking forward with purpose when the opportunity arose, they could well have seen themselves go ahead with some better decision-making and execution in the final third.

As the half went on CoP grew into the game, establishing a high-press and making it hard for Walden to play through midfield. CoP created more opportunities and, as the 1s struggled to build periods of possession, they had Man-of-the-Match Ali Cowper to thank for a spectacular save on the left post from a penalty corner midway through the half. Eventually, an inability to keep possession resulted in CoP taking the lead from a situation entirely of the 1s making, giving the ball away on the edge of their own D. Despite Walden’s woes, debutant Nick Chandler was relatively untroubled in the Walden goal throughout.

Following some wise words and tactical reminders at half-time, the 1s came out all guns blazing in the 2nd half. From the first minute, the men in purple hounded their red counterparts, winning the ball high up the pitch and looking lethal on the break. Not only this, but they also kept the ball with confidence and dominated possession for vast periods of the half, tiring their opponents.

Despite this domination, Walden continued to scupper great chances to draw level. But eventually the relentless pressure told, Grant Ward throwing a half-pitch aerial the over the heads of the CoP defence to Spencer Hill, who made no mistake from close-range. With no intention of easing off, Walden took the lead ten minutes later, Alex Newitt in the right place at the back-post following a quickly taken free hit by George Pitfield. Despite being good value for their lead,the 1s had Chandler and Cowper (again) to thank for two saves from penalty corners to seal the 2-1 victory.