Advent Calendar 2015: Day 13 – Waltham Forest 2-7 Redbridge

In our last match, we looked at a thumping 8-1 victory over Bowers & Pitsea. Today (we’re a bit behind schedule, we know!), we look at a thumping defeat.

The 2011-12 season started brightly for Forest, with Wale Ojelabi’s side occupying top-spot early in the season.

However, after a high turnover of players, Forest found themselves more at the wrong end of the table, with most just waiting for the season to end.

Redbridge, on the other hand, were enjoying a stormer. They made it to the third round proper of the FA Cup, and only just missed off on a play-off place courtesy of a fine end to the season.

Part of that end, was a 7-2 victory over a struggling Forest.

On a horrible Easter Bank Holiday, in front of only 35 people, a swirling wind made any attempts to play football pointless.

Forest got off to the worst possible start when on only five minutes Matt Waldron cleared a low cross past Omand for an own goal.

Not too long later it was 2-0. Former Forest player Joe Ellul was free in the box to head between Omand and Dagher on the Forest line.

Forest’s only chances were proving to be on the counter attack, and after Redbridge hit the post, Joel Palmer broke well, but he spooned his cross miles high and wide.

The home side had a golden opportunity to get back in the game when Moise Djiomo-Nyah was taken down in the box by Arrun Bust. However, Inaki Ordono fired the resulting spot-kick wide.

Not too long later, Redbridge had a penalty of their own, given for hand-ball. Mitchell Das’ penalty was terrible, but he proved that you always have a chance if the shot is on target, and made it 3-0.

Just before half time Forest had a good spell of pressure. Redbridge defended five consecutive corners well, but after a second cross from the sixth corner, Nicolas Bondon headed in for his first goal for the club.

Not long after half time, Redbridge reaffirmed their 3 goal lead. The assistant referee raised his flag for off-side, causing everyone to stop except for the two Redbridge forwards who casually strolled the ball into the goal.

Okanu then hit the bar for Forest, before a lucky deflection from a Matt Waldron clearance allowed Redbridge to make it 5.

Okanu pulled a goal back for Forest with a neat finish through the goalkeeper’s legs, but two more well-taken goals completed the rout.

Went on to better things

Perhaps as an indication of Forest’s performance that day, none of the players have really set the world alight

Disappeared from view

Dane Harriott, Moise Djiomo-Nyah, Dominic Okanu, Kurtis Spencer