Walthamstow 1-1 Barton Rovers

Stow made it eight games unbeaten with a home draw with Barton Rovers. Despite this, there was an air of disappointment about the result, given Nicky Ironton’s team’s form since Christmas. But nothing should be taken away from Barton Rovers, who belied their league position to pick up what could be a vital point in their battle for survival.

After a team of Stow volunteers won the battle with the elements to get the game on, their team started on the front foot. Bilal Sayoud volleyed wide with four minutes played, and Duncan Culley then picked out Jordan Watson whose effort was deflected wide.

Stow then forced a series of corners, going ever-closer and forcing save after save from Matt Boylan in the Rovers goal. But they were rewarded for their pressure with 15 minutes played when Culley was brought down when advancing on the Rovers goal. Stow’s top scorer dusted himself down and made no mistake from the spot to give his side the lead.

But Stow were not able to build on the lead, and began to overhit almost every pass in the Rovers final third. The visitors pegged Stow back when Kieran Hamilton got between defender and goalkeeper to nod the ball home from a corner. Hamilton then forced a good block from Jack Green after a surging run down the left wing, but that was about all Rovers had to offer from an attacking perspective.

Fabion Simms went close before the break, and Te Wihongi had an effort cleared off the line, but Stow couldn’t find a way through.

Early in the second half, Jared Small turned and put Watson through on goal, but the Stow winger was unable to bring the ball under control, and Rovers eventually cleared.

Boylan saved well from two Culley long-range efforts, before Dan Green, on as a second half substitute was given a straight red for a cynical foul, stopping a Rovers counter attack.

Despite being a man down, Stow continued to surge forward, and could have nicked all three points when Sayoud crossed for Anyadike, but the Rovers defender cut across just in time to deny Anyadike a 93rd minute tap-in.

Photos: Bill Badger