Hadley 0-1 Walthamstow

Stow ground out their second 1-0 away win in four days thanks to a Jordan Watson goal at Hadley. Watson returned to a more attacking position after four games at right back, replacing Callum Ibe who was out with a hamstring injury. Duncan Culley was also unavailable due to injury.

Stow got onto the front foot early and should have been ahead in the seventh minute when the ball dropped to Watson five yards out but he blazed over the bar.

While Hadley did have some good build-up play from defence to midfield, they were lacking the final option up front and Bradley Robinson had very little to do in the Stow goal. Watson had another effort on goal saved on 12 minutes, and Te Wihongi headed over after a series of corners on 37, but that was about all there was of note in the first half.

In a game of very few chances, it became clear that the first team to score would probably win the game. And that proved to be the case when Stow took the lead on the hour mark. Demaray Anyadike did brilliantly to keep the ball in and hook a tackle-come-pass into the path of Jordan Watson down the right wing. Watson advanced towards the Hadley penalty area, and drove in a cross which sailed over everyone and into the far corner of the Hadley goal.

Peter Rosemin had the bulk of Hadley’s shots on goal, but they were all from some considerable distance, and were increasingly wayward as the game went on.

And in truth, that was about it. Carl Mensah and Wihongi dealt with everything thrown their way in the last ten minutes, winning their headers and blocking shots on the edge of the area, leaving Robinson a quiet afternoon.

With six of the top eight in the table all winning, it was crucial that Stow didn’t slip up, and the win keeps them in fourth place, a point ahead of Ware who visit Wadham Lodge on Saturday.

Image: Bill Badger