A record league crowd of 762 piled into Catons Lane to see if the hosts could gain the point they needed to win promotion to the Thurlow Nunn Premier whilst the visiting fans were willing their side on a win that would see them go up instead.
Walden came out with a high tempo from the start and barely a minute was on the clock when a cross saw Shaun Avis loop a header onto the Bar as the hosts almost had the perfect start. The next chance came ten minutes later when a corner was headed just wide with the ball almost being turned in on route for a goal kick.
The Bloods continued their positive start when on 18 minutes a free kick into the Yarmouth box saw keeper Molloy come for the cross but get caught in no man's land and was thankful the header looped off target from the hosts. On 20 minutes hesitant defending almost let in the hosts again but Molloy came out to clear any danger and keep the scores level.
The hosts were causing some problems with long throws into the area and one such throw on 26 minutes again caused problems in the Yarmouth backline and they just managed to head over their own crossbar onto the roof of the net. The hosts had dominated the game but had nothing to show for it, that was until the 28th minute when another corner was headed past keeper Molloy by James Solkhon with Shaun Avis on hand to make sure the ball crossed the line but it was definitely Solkhon's goal and the hosts had a deserved 1-0 lead.
Their tempo dropped slightly after this although they were still better than their opponents and on 38 minutes they nearly doubled their lead when an effort at goal from range saw keeper Molloy tip onto the outside of the post and out for a corner. From this corner Solkhon headed straight at keeper Molloy this time and the scoreline remained 1-0.
Two minutes before the half time whistle the visitors finally caused some concern in the Blood's backline as a ball into the box caused issues but the home keeper managed to gather the ball eventually and thwart any chance of a leveller. Yarmouth then rattled another effort over the bar from distance although the keeper looked to have had it covered but the hosts had totally dominated the first half and went in one goal to the good.
Half Time: Saffron Walden Town 1 Great Yarmouth Town 0
Yarmouth knew they had to come out and score twice if they were to gain promotion and they were a different side having much more purpose about them which had been lacking in the first half. Eight minutes into the half Yarmouth's Oldham forced the keeper to save from the edge of the box and then just before the hour mark more pressure on the Walden backline saw Clements slice well wide of the target but the visitors were now the better side.
On 62 minutes the hosts almost scrambled a goal from yet another long throw in as one such throw went over keeper Molloy's head but saw one of his defenders behind him to control on the goal line and boot clear before any Bloods player could capatilise. Then on 65 minutes a moment of stupidity saw the hosts go down to ten men after a kick out and gave the visitors the belief that they could now get something from this game.
Seven minutes after this moment Yarmouth were level when good play by Deeks down the left hand side saw him burst into the box and drill the ball into the six yard box where M Forbes thumped home a close range volley and mean that one more goal would take Yarmouth up into the Premier Division.
Two minutes after the goal Yarmouth's Oldham drilled a shot into the side netting as the visitors were now looking the more likely to score the next goal as the hosts were struggling to get a foot hold in the game and were really having to dig deep. Then with ten minutes to go came the chance that Yarmouth were waiting for. A great ball saw Crux break free down the left and he found himself one on one with the keeper but the Yarmouth winger could only lift his effort over the bar as the keeper came to narrow the angle. It was a massive chance for the visitors.
Ten more nervy minutes passed as the majority of the record crowd were really getting behind their side it what was a fantastic atmosphere. It was a tense last few minutes and you felt there was one more twist to come. However on 90 minutes Yarmouth were reduced to ten men when Solkhon was caught in the face by a high boot from Deeks although the Yarmouth player had no idea the Bloods full back was there. However the referee, after consulting his linesman, sent off Deeks. It was very harsh to say the least as it appeared to look like an accidental challenge to me. Solkhon received lengthy treatment but he did get to his feet eventually which was good to see.
This rather killed off Yarmouth who never really threatened in the ten or so minutes of stoppage time that were played and the hosts saw out the remainder of the contest to gain promotion to the Thurlow Nunn Premier Division and cue celebrations on the pitch with their supporters.
Full Time: Saffron Walden Town 1 Great Yarmouth Town 1
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