Cheshunt 1-1 Waltham Forest

Waltham Forest claimed a valuable point away to Cheshunt, but they know that they should have taken all three.

Forest were playing their first competitive match since the 15th of January, but showed little sign of rustiness as they took a 13th minute lead through L’Heureux Menga.

Playing on the counter-attack, a deft flick from Leon Fisher put Lee Scott through on goal. Scott’s finish was scuffed, but in such a way that it was the perfect through ball for Menga who smashed home from three yards.

Forest went close to doubling their lead not long after. Scott was first acrobatically denied by Matt Bennett in the home goal, and from the resulting corner, Menga and new signing Ike Nzuruba both went tantalisingly close.

This prompted a revival from Cheshunt, who should have levelled when Will Holmes was clean through on goal. However the forward dropped the ball wide when trying to lob Amadou Tangara in the Forest goal.

Cheshunt dominated for vast swathes of the second half as Forest struggled to string more than two passes together. However, a combination of some terrible finishing and some solid goalkeeping from Tangara preserved Forest’s lead.

At the other end, Fisher went closest for Forest, firing narrowly over after beating three players in one move. Scott and Menga both went close, but Forest were struggling to assert any dominance in midfield.

With 92 minutes played, Forest had a two-on-one situation in front of the Cheshunt goal. However, with Fisher waiting for the easiest of through passes, Menga lost possession, enabling the home side to break.

From the resulting corner, Mete Sem – who had begun the season with Forest – headed home easily at the back post.

Cheshunt almost stole all three points, with Tangara and Andrew West both being alert to keep the scores level.

Every point will prove vital for Forest this season, but they will be disappointed at dropping two after being so close to victory.