Cheshunt 4-2 Waltham Forest

Waltham Forest are still looking for their first points of the season after a terrible second half performance saw Forest go from leading the game 2-1 to losing 4-2.

At the weekend, the conditions were sweltering, but as the match at Theobald’s Lane started, the temperatures dropped and the rain began to pour.

Cheshunt took the early advantage in the third minute. A low corner was missed by Adrian Clifton and David Bryan, before eventually falling to Lee Brennan whose low shot took at least one deflection before nestling in the corner of the net.

It only took 10 minutes for Forest to get back in the game, as last season’s top scorer Manu Dagher opened his account for the season, turning and shooting low past Williamson’s right.

In an end-to-end match, both ‘keepers were kept busy, as was the referee who made several first half bookings for late challenges.

Forest took the lead on 36. Some neat play down the right put Luke Stanley in a good position, who was then able to slide in a perfect pass to Courtney White. White then beautifully dinked the ball over the on-rushing keeper and into the back of the net.

Matt Waldron, David Bryan and Ben Head all then joined Luke Stanley in the referee’s book, along with Cheshunt’s Lee Brennan.

Cheshunt came out for the second half all guns blazing and immediately asserted their dominance on the game.

On 57, after the Forest defence went missing, Cheshunt equalized, with the ball eventually crossing the line after being kept out by Omand (twice) and the post.

Corey Whitely came on for Forest and made an immediate impact, carving two good chances for Forest, but just as it looked like Forest were beginning to get back in the game, it escaped their grasp completely.

Manny Sackey, like Inaki Ordono at the weekend, was guilty of bundling down an opposing forward in the penalty area. Lee Brennan made no mistake with the Cheshunt penalty.

Things got worse for Forest soon after. With many players switched off, awaiting a substitution, Clifton lost the ball in midfield, and David Hicks lobbed Omand from around 25 yards.

Forest thought they had a penalty of their own as the game entered stoppage time. Luke Stanley went down in the Cheshunt box, and the referee pointed to the spot. However, after some strong protests from the Cheshunt players, and a discussion with the assistant referee, the man in the middle changed his mind and booked Stanley for diving.
For Forest, it was a farcical way to end a match which they never looked like winning in the second half.

After conceding seven goals in two games, Forest will look to bounce back with a win over Romford in the FA Cup on Friday, who themselves are still without any points this season.

Other scores:

Cheshunt 4-2 Waltham Forest
Needham Market 2-2 Heybridge Swifts
Wroxham 0-1 Witham Town
Grays Athletic 4-1 Brentwood Town
Thamesmead Town 3-1 Romford
Harlow Town 3-4 Aveley
Tilbury 2-2 Potters Bar Town
Maldon & Tiptree 3-1 AFC Sudbury
Waltham Abbey 2-1 Ware

Click here for the Ryman Division 1 North league table.