Foxton 0 Debden 1 FOXTON manager Andy Cambridge remained positive despite his side starting their Kershaw Senior Division A season with a 1-0 defeat against Debden. In a frantic start, the hosts looked more nervous than calm and as a result frequently

Foxton 0 Debden 1

FOXTON manager Andy Cambridge remained positive despite his side starting their Kershaw Senior Division A season with a 1-0 defeat against Debden.

In a frantic start, the hosts looked more nervous than calm and as a result frequently squandered possession.

Foxton were then forced to make an early substitution when play maker Matt Hayden fell victim to a strong challenge.

Carlow Lawrence went closest for Cambridge's team when his snap-shot had the Debden keeper well beaten, but he saw his powerful strike bounce back off the post.

Moments later Lawrence was again the Debden tormentor, when his mazy run across the park ended with a confident strike drifting narrowly wide of the post.

After the break, it was Foxton who emerged the more confident, however, chances were still few and far between.

And the visitors made no mistake on the hour mark, when former QPR striker Stuart Wardley made the breakthrough with an excellent header past Jamie Chamberlain.

Chamberlain responded well, and within minutes denied the visitors a second with a brilliant low save to his right.

Player manager Cambridge then entered the action alongside Conrad Wellstead, with their fresh legs making an immediate impact.

And Foxton could well have drawn level, with both Cambridge and Lawrence failing to convert from close range, following two moments of skill by Pete Manners.

Some neat passing and movement saw Wellstead combine with Adam Fields and Cambridge, only for Wellstead to be denied thanks to a terrific stop by the Debden keeper.

Daniel Hoggarth also saw a chance go begging when he too, blazed the ball over from close range.

Both teams had shouts for a penalty in the closing 10 minutes, with Foxton's waved away before Debden too were aggrieved when Field's late tackle also went unpunished.

Foxton fought to the end, but Debden held firm and denied the hosts a deserved share of the points.

Cambridge said: "We started the game very poorly, with all our pre-season promise going missing.

"However, I'm putting it down to first game nerves - there's no need to panic.

"On the plus side, we kept going throughout and never gave up. Considering we have a lot of new young faces in the team, they did very well, and hopefully they have learned more about the league they will be playing in.

"It's a big step up from the junior leagues of youth football.

"We probably deserved a draw, but we need to play better than we did.

"We have a very hard game up next against Mildenhall Town Reserves, who will be difficult to beat - but we will go there and do our best.