Blues beaten

Waltham Abbey 2 Arlesey Town 0 Arlesey s hopes of a league double evaporated as their poor form continued. The alarm bells will soon be ringing for since the managerial upheaval in late November, the Blues have picked up seven points from a dozen league g

Waltham Abbey 2 Arlesey Town 0

Arlesey's hopes of a league double evaporated as their poor form continued.

The alarm bells will soon be ringing for since the managerial upheaval in late November, the Blues have picked up seven points from a dozen league games.

And again on Saturday's evidence their long ball tactics did not cause the home side any alarms.

Goals in each half from Petrie and Elmes gave Waltham Abbey their first home victory since August Bank Holiday Monday.

Arlesey surprisingly left out keeper Luke Howard after his brilliant display the previous Tuesday to allow Jake Whincup to return.

This decision was vindicated as he produced an excellent display to save Arlesey from a bigger deficit.

Waltham took the lead in the 14th minute when a long pass from Elmes was picked up by Petrie who had a clear run on goal to score easily.

The poor standard of the playing surface did not contribute to the game as a spectacle.

Arlesey's best chances fell to Ross Edwards whose header was cleared over the bar and a Matthew Clarke volley from a punched clearance from the Waltham keeper.

The second half produced more constructive build up, especially from the home side, and the game was put beyond the visitors' reach in the 71st minute when Sapsford placed a free-kick into the Arlesey box for Elmes to beat Whincup.

Abbey could have scored further goals but for the excellent keeping of Whincup, especially from Petrie who lost his footing when about to apply the coup de grace.

Blues: Whincup, Waldron, Honeyball, Oliva, Brown, Hall, Clarke, Fowler, Beech, Opara, Okojie.

Subs: King, Whincup, Gazmend, Lewis, Nene.