Halstead eased to a comfortable win in this game despite a close-looking scoreline, with all the goals coming in the first half-hour.
The Rosemary Lane outfit fielded four of their under-18 side with two more on the substitutes' bench.
Striker Gino Defeo returned from suspension and Ergun Artun making an excellent home debut after moving from Heybridge Swifts.
Having already recently beaten Walden in the East Anglian Cup, any thoughts of another easy home success was quickly blown away when Walden scored in the first five minutes.
A long hopeful punt down the middle was picked up by Ben Riches to fire past Craig Rulton, who suffered a rude awakening on his debut.
However, all was well when Halstead slotted home three goals in 15 minutes.
First Artun left three defenders in his wake and his low cross was knocked home by Kevin Budge, and two minutes later they were gifted a second when Chris Dennett's cross was fumbled into his own net by keeper Jason Harvey.
The third goal also involved Dennett, whose free-kick from the right found the head of Simon Betts who nodded home inside the far post.
More in today's Evening Gazette
Published Wednesday, January 12, 2005
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