RIDGEONS LEAGUE: Thetford could count themselves very unlucky to return from Saffron Walden with only one point from an opening day 2-2 draw after they had dominated and played all the football whilst Walden gave away free-kick after free-kick and played nothing more than the long ball.

Thetford could count themselves very unlucky to return from Saffron Walden with only one point from an opening day 2-2 draw after they had dominated and played all the football whilst Walden gave away free-kick after free-kick and played nothing more than the long ball.

However, Tuesday night they made sure of all three points with a 7-1 home demolition job on a Swaffham outfit relegated last season (L Brewer, G Devlin, K Jones 2, S Mann, D Richards 2).

The new look Thetford side with only three players from last season started nervously as Walden bombarded their goal with their long ball tactics but once settled played some very controlled football with captain Dave Richards and Craig Skipp pulling the strings.

Thetford took the lead when one too many free-kicks given away by Walden was punished by Craig Skipp as his inswinging ball eluded everybody and ended up in the top corner of the net.

Thetford continued to play all the football but just before half-time a Walden player was allowed to turn and shoot from 25 yards and his screaming effort hit the top corner of the net although keeper Dan Corston got a hand to it.

Town started the second half the brighter and were soon ahead when Greg Devlin sent a rocket into the back of the net before the Walden keeper had a chance to react and Walden looked beaten.

Kam Senior hit the bar with a header from five yards after good work by Kwame Jones and a Craig Skipp shot came back off the post as Town's football and superior fitness began to shine through. When Craig Skipp hit the post for the second time the writing was on the wall.

Walden again powered in a shot from distance which keeper Corston saw late and his block fell to a Walden player who lofted a header over everybody into the back of the Thetford net for an undeserved equaliser.

Then disaster hit when Kam Senior who had a fine game reacted, after being brought down for the umpteenth time, and was shown an red card, rough justice after the punishment he had received all game.

Walden piled on the pressure but Man of the Match Steve Crawshaw and Simon Jackson organised at the back and held firm.

Thetford thought they had scored a deserved winner when Kwame Jones headed home, only to have the effort ruled out for an infringement. Then at the death Greg Devlin broke away and with only the keeper to beat and Craig Skipp in support opted to shoot, but his effort was saved.

For Thetford, on the balance of play victory was in their hands, but their inexperience cost them in the end.