Cambridge City 3-1 Walthamstow

After three wins on the bounce, Stow were brought crashing back to earth, being well-beaten by Cambridge City in a wet St Ives.

The heavens opened with a biblical downpour the moment the players left the comfort of their changing rooms, and things didn’t get much better all evening for Stow.

The ball was zipping around the slick artificial surface, and Lewis Greene had to save well in the first minute. But less than 30 seconds later, the home side were ahead; George Smith losing his marker Alie Njie and volleying home from a corner.

Greene had to save again, before Stow slowly started to drag themselves into the game. Johnville Renee shot over when well placed, and Brian Moses’ goal-bound header was inadvertently cleared off the line by Njie. Renee then shot narrowly wide when well-placed after some good hold-up play from Moses.

The home side doubled their advantage in spectacular style. Njie’s headed clearance fell to Jack Thompson who smashed in a first time volley from just inside the centre circle.

The second half followed the same pattern as the first, with City creating the early pressure before Stow hauled themselves into the game. Louie Johnson was denied twice, the second by a superb last-ditch block.

But with Stow pushing forward, there was always room on the break and Smith was given acres of space to turn and fire home in the box for his second and City’s third.

Stow did pull a goal back when Tayo Oyebola finished well in the box, but it was still City who looked the more dangerous, hitting the post twice in injury time.

Stow now host Mildenhall Town on Saturday.