Downham Town v Walthamstow preview

Walthamstow make the journey to Downham Town on Saturday for hopefully their first away game of the new year with the weather permitting.

Stow made it two wins out of two in midweek with a 2-1 win over Cambridge City at Wadham Lodge. The visitors made a quick start with Aaron Williams-Bushell scoring the opener just three minutes in. Charlie Heatley got his third in two games to level the game, with Wilson Bernal’s first for the club enough for the three points.

Downham were away on Saturday, where they gave Brantham Athletic their first win of the league campaign. Reuben Chinnery and Benjamin Young’s goals gave Brantham a two-goal advantage going into half time. Dylan Kirk pulled one back for Downham in the 52nd minute, but it wasn’t enough to spark a comeback.

Both Stow and Downham have already met twice this season – once in the FA Trophy and in the Isthmian League with both being at Wadham Lodge, and Stow winning both. The FA Trophy tie took place in early September, when Stow went 2-0 down at half time via goals from Dylan Edge and Jacob White. Stow drew level with goals from Olu Oluwatimilehin and Callum Ibe and won the game with the last kick thanks to an own goal from Ben Smith. Downham returned to E17 in October where it was another case of the visitors taking the lead and Stow coming back to win. Charlie Royle gave the visitors the advantage before Joe Ellul’s strike levelled the game and an own goal from goalkeeper Jasper Briggs would be the winner for Stow.