Nathan Scarborough netted ten minutes from time to see Saffron Walden Town into Round One of the Errington Challenge Cup, setting up a home tie against Cockfosters, after they defeated Clapton at a soggy Southchurch Park in Southend.
The pitch just about passed an afternoon inspection but was extremely soft under foot, so conditions would be tricky for both sides, and after a slight delay due to the goal nets being put up Walden created a couple of early chances, lobbing over before then seeing another effort saved.
The hosts then saw a dangerous ball into the box just about dealt with by the Walden defence, before The Tons had a wonderful chance to take the lead but saw the keeper save their effort.
Walden then spurned another couple of chances, seeing an effort saved at the near post before they then dragged a terrific chance wide of the far post, whilst back up the other end the hosts saw another decent opening well saved.
Clapton then won a free-kick in a dangerous position but this was curled inches wide with the keeper rooted to the spot, and then Walden fired a ball into the six yard box which hit a visitors player and ended up going off for a goal kick.
Walden then saw another effort beaten away but despite some of the first half being played in hefty fine rain, which wasn’t forecast, it had been a rather action-packed opening forty-five minutes, but it did end goalless.
Clapton 0 Saffron Walden Town 0
Walden nearly broke through immediately after the break as they saw a shot saved before the rebound was fired well wide, but as action packed the first half had been the second half was anything but as a largely poor half followed.
Walden wasted another attacking position after firing a poor overhit cross out of play, whilst The Tons saw a dangerous ball into the six yard box go behind the attacker meaning he could not get on the end of the ball and see it go out for a goal kick.
Walden then got in down the left but sliced wide of the near post, but it looked more and more likely this game may end up being decided by penalties.
That was until the 80th minute when Walden managed to find the key to unlock the Clapton defence, as a square ball across to Scarborough who side footed home, and they almost doubled their lead soon after but saw a close-range effort blocked.
Scarborough’s goal though proved enough for Walden to progress into the next round in a game that at times, especially second half was a difficult watch on what was a difficult pitch for the players. They coped well though and produced a good hard-fought battle out there.
Full Time Clapton 0 Saffron Walden Town 1
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