Fakenham Town 1-1 Walthamstow
Walthamstow began their 2026/2027 Isthmian League campaign with a 1-1 draw away at Fakenham Town.
It was one of those games where on another day, Stow could’ve won by a comfortable margin if they had taken the chances they had created.
Stow were the more dominant out of the two sides from start to finish and started brightly with two chances from Joden Trickett being denied. Skipper Luke Warner-Eley’s pass found the forward who was denied from close range by goalkeeper Luke Pearson, and Jordan Peart’s cross found Trickett but his effort was blocked and cleared away.
Despite being under pressure, Fakenham did come close on multiple occasions to taking the lead in the first half. A quick free kick was laid off to Joe Keeley who fired across the face of goal and wide of the far post. Anton Robinson did well to keep the score level after a free header from Fakenham captain Jack Watts at the back post.
Right before half time, Stow had a period of chances where they could’ve scored at least three goals minimum. Jordan Peart and Lewis Allan’s efforts were both cleared spectacularly off the line by Fakenham defenders Jayden Wright and Lewis Bonner, and Joden Trickett’s shot was blocked and cleared.
The second half continued with Stow on the front foot, looking for that opening goal and causing trouble for the Fakenham defence down the left hand side. Luke Warner-Eley-s delivery found Tristan Goodridge unmarked in the box right in front of goal but he couldn’t produce enough power on the shot and his toe poke was easily collected by goalkeeper Luke Pearson.
Jordan Peart continued to do what Jordan Peart does. Beat his man, get to the by-line and put a cross into the box hoping for someone in a Walthamstow shirt to fire home. However, his deliveries kept flying through the penalty area with no one there to tap home.
Eventually, Stow found the opening goal of the afternoon. Returning after a year away from the club, defender (playing in midfield) Ali Njie met Warner-Eley’s corner with a thumping header giving the goalkeeper no chance and giving Stow the lead.
That lead unfortunately didn’t last very long as Fakenham went straight up the other end and brought the game back level. A throw in from the right hand side evaded the whole Stow defence and found skipper Jack Watts at the back post who calmly slotted past Anton Robinson and scored the first goal in the club’s history at Step 4.
Stow kept looking dangerous from corners with Luke Warner-Eley’s crosses causing confusion for the Fakenham defence. His delivery was punched away into the air by Pearson in the Fakenham goal and landed for Jack Empson at the back post who couldn’t connect with his attempted volley which rolled out for a goal kick.
Going into added time, Fakenham should’ve been reduced to 10 men when substitute Elijah Grant sprinted past the last defender but was then brought down outside the box. The referee only brandished a yellow card for substitute Lewis Sturman to the disbelief of the Stow bench and supporters.
The scoreline remained the same and both teams had to settle for a point. Walthamstow will feel annoyed not to have won, compared to Fakenham who were buzzing after the final whistle.
Walthamstow take on Grays Athletic on Tuesday evening in their first home game of the season.