Waltham Forest 2 – 1 Cheshunt
A GOAL in the first and last minute of the opening half from skipper Brian Suchley helped Waltham Forest to their first league win of the season, writes Tony Brazier.
Recently Forest have been guilty of conceding early goals, but they were quickly on the attack and with Ian Walsh winning a tight challenge the ball ricocheted from Cheshunt goalkeeper Glenn Williamson to Suchley who scored from close range.
It took Cheshunt a while to settle down from this set back, but on 13 minutes they gave notice of their intent when their captain David Hicks hit the bar with a free kick. Forest were forced to defend and Joe Ellul was like a rock at the heart of their defence, and even managed to get into attack firing wide from a corner on 18 minutes.
Forest custodian Jason Willis did well to finger tip a corner away from danger, but Cheshunt were not to be denied and drew level on 36 minutes when the ball was played out to Hicks on the left and his shot floated into the top corner.
Forest were penned back, but broke away and Brian Okwera shot wide from distance, and on the stroke of half-time Danny Francis played the ball through to Suchley who ran on to give Williamson no chance for Forest’s second goal.
At the start of the second half Forest went close on three occasions, both Okwera and Francis hit the post and an overhead effort by Antony Gradley was well saved by Williamson.
Cheshunt had a loud appeal for a penalty turned down, but referee Tony Power judged Jamie Haywood’s tackle on Chris Meikle to have been fair. Soon after it was Forest’s turn to claim a penalty when Suchley’s goal bound effort appeared to have been handled on the line, but this was also turned down.
Cheshunt did get the ball in the net, but play had already been halted for a free kick.
Francis had a good effort blocked by Williamson, but as stoppage time crept up to eight minutes it was the Forest defence that held firm to claim the win.
This Saturday Cheshunt are at home to near neighbours Waltham Abbey, while Forest make the short trip to Aveley to play Romford; both matches are in the Ryman League Division One North.
