Hashtag United v Walthamstow preview

It’s a quick turnaround for Walthamstow who travel to Barkingside to face off against Hashtag United on Tuesday evening.

Stow have had a tough spell of results, recently losing 3-0 away at AFC Sudbury on Saturday. Defensive mistakes were once again at the cause of Stow conceding, with a brace from Reuben Chinnery in the first half and a single goal from Tom Maycock. Stow now drop into the relegation zone on four points.

Our hosts – The Tags

Hashtag have had a flying start to their season, sitting top of the Isthmian League North having only conceded one league goal. They’ve beaten AFC Sudbury, Newmarket Town and Takeley 3-0, Redbridge 4-1, Takeley 5-0 and drew 0-0 with Felixstowe on Saturday.

The Tags were knocked out of the FA Cup in a First Qualifying Round Replay against Step 3 side St Albans City. Hashtag demolished Enfield 10-1 in the Preliminary Round to give them an away tie at Clarence Park. They drew 0-0, but in the replay they were beaten 2-0 with goals from Inih Effiong and Mikey Faulkner. In the FA Trophy, they beat both Royston Town and Hertford Town 3-1, and will face off against Isthmian Premier side Brentwood Town in the Third Qualifying Round.

Walthamstow have been drawn against Hashtag United in the Essex Senior Cup, with the game being played w/c 12th October at Oakside Stadium.

Previous meetings

It’s been just under six years since the last time Walthamstow and Hashtag United took on each other in a competitive fixture. Both sides played in a friendly in 2022, which consisted of a Hashtag team with Adebayo Akinfenwa up front.

A team of players such as Connor Samson, Vinny Murphy, Jason Beck, Callum Ibe, Reece Conway, Jon Clements, Connor Scully, Michael Toner, Michael Osei, Charncey Dash and Emiel Aitken – managed by current manager Max Mitchell were victorious in a 2-1 win over the Tags in the Essex Senior League.

Stow had the chance to go in front when Clements was brought down in the box by former Stow goalkeeper Ashlee Jones, giving Stow a penalty. Clements stepped up but his effort was denied by Jones. Hashtag went up the other end and took the lead through Jesse Waller-Lassen’s strike which went through goalkeeper Samson and into the net. In the second half, Stow found the equaliser through current Director of Football Vinny Murphy, whose header from a Connor Scully corner levelled the scoreline. The blues managed to go in front with a peach of a free kick from Michael Toner, sending Wadham Lodge into rapture and sealing the victory.

Walthamstow and Hashtag’s common people

Players to have featured for both sides include Ashlee Jones, Bilal Sayoud, Pique Humble, Joe Gregory, Alex Teniola and Pedro Carvalho.