Felixstowe & Walton United v Walthamstow preview

Walthamstow remain on the road this weekend as they travel to Felixstowe & Walton United in the Isthmian League.

Stow were away at Hashtag United on Tuesday night in the Essex Senior Cup, where they were eliminated after a 3-0 defeat. The hosts went in front early on through Misha Djemaili just five minutes in. On another day, Stow could’ve been three up by half time, hitting the post twice and having big chances to get back into the game. However, it wasn’t meant to be and Hashtag extended their lead through captain Jaden Crowhurst in the second half. The Tags were then awarded a penalty, which they let goalkeeper Joseph Whitney take which he scored to make it 3-0.

Our hosts – The Seasiders

Felixstowe have had an up and down start to their season, sitting in the relegation zone until mid September. They currently sit 7th occupying the last playoff position, with 12 played, 5 won, 3 drawn and 4 lost. Their most recent league game was last Saturday where they beat Witham Town 2-1 away from home thanks to a brace from Jose Santa De La Pax. George Smith scored a consolation goal for Witham, but it wasn’t enough to spark a comeback.

On Tuesday, the Seasiders hosted former Isthmian North side Ipswich Wanderers in the Suffolk Premier Cup – a competition which they have gotten to the final for the last two seasons. They won the cup defeating Leiston on penalties in the 24/25 season, but were defeated by Needham Market the following season. Felixstowe were unable to make it three finals in a row as they were defeated by the Step 5 side 3-2. Paulo Coelho’s strike gave the Wanderers the lead before an own goal made it level before half time. Stannard and Webb scored two more for the visitors, and Tom Warren got on the scoresheet for Felixstowe, but it was Ipswich Wanderers who progress to the next round.

In the FA competitions, Felixstowe lost to Mulbarton Wanderers 2-0 in the preliminary round of the FA Trophy. They beat Woodbridge Town 1-0 in the Preliminary Round of the Cup, and drew Isthmian Premier side Wingate & Finchley in the First Qualifying Round. Both sides drew 0-0 in the first game, but Wingate won the replay 2-0.

Previous meetings

The two fixtures last season were under different Stow managers. Vinny Murphy’s side lost 2-1 in November at home, where they were close to picking up a point. Tom Warren gave the visitors the lead in the first half, before Joe Elliott’s equaliser right before half time. Felixstowe regained their lead through Sam Ford, who had controversially handballed it in the build up to the winner but no match officials were aware of it.

Stow travelled to Suffolk in March under the management of Andy Leese and Jon Meakes where the blues picked up a point. Chris Regis scored his first goal for the club, giving Stow the lead going into the break. Captain Billy Holland got the leveller for the hosts, but Stow felt like it was two points dropped at the end of the game.