Forest beat Tilbury in first win of season

THE search for Waltham Forest’s new manager rumbles on but the team picked up its first win of the season in a thrilling contest against Tilbury. Following Ged Searson’s resignation at the start of the month due to work commitments, Stags chairman Azumah Cofie has taken his time over appointing his successor.

But the off-field antics do not seem to be affecting the players, as a Yacine Hamada-inspired performance saw them move up to 16th in the Ryman Division One North table.

Forest were trailing 2-1 with just four minutes remaining against mid-table Tilbury at Cricklefield Stadium but a long-range thunderbolt from debutant Elliot Blake drew them level before new signing Peter Biggs laid on Hamada, whose delectable chip in the last minute secured the win.

Hamada also had a hand in the hosts’ opener just seven minutes in, when his near-post corner was turned in by Yaw Boateng.

But the Stags were controversially hauled back in the 26th minute after an alleged handball by Justin Fervier.

Tilbury’s Joe Keith slotted home the resultant penalty and the visitors then went in front when Chris Stowe captilised on some poor defending to score.

It remained that way until the dying moments, when Blake and Hamada intervened to spark what could be the turning point in Forest’s season.

Coach Abs Asnane oversaw Saturday’s dramatic victory but he will soon make way for Searson’s replacement, although club secretary Andy Perkins insisted there would be no rush.

“We’ve spoken to a number of people about the position but nobody has been appointed yet,” he said.

“We’ve not set a timescale because we’ve made mistakes in the past and we want to ensure we get the right man for the job.”

Next up for Forest is a trip to fellow strugglers Witham Town on Saturday.