Heybridge Swifts 2-1 Walthamstow

Walthamstow fell to a 2-1 defeat against Heybridge Swifts in a hard-fought Isthmian League encounter at Scraley Road. Despite a spirited second-half comeback, the damage was done early, leaving Stow empty-handed.

Stow should have been ahead after a minute, when Tayo Oyebola blazed over when one-on-one.

But from then, Heybridge came into the game strongly, taking the lead in the 9th minute when Andrew Fennell capitalized on a defensive lapse to slot home. The hosts doubled their advantage in the 24th minute through Scott Sloots, who finished from close range after after another defensive mistake.

Walthamstow struggled to create clear chances in the first half. A promising build-up involving Njie and Johnson ended with the latter firing over the bar, while Renee’s effort from a Sayoud cross sailed high. At halftime, Heybridge held a commanding 2-0 lead.

Stow showed renewed urgency after the break. Sayoud came close early in the second half, while substitute Banton added energy on the flank. The breakthrough came in the 64th minute when Ali Njie capitalized on a rebound from Wihongi’s header off the bar to reduce the deficit to 2-1.

Walthamstow pressed for an equalizer, with Salau’s late cross into the box cleared by the Swifts’ defense. Six minutes of stoppage time offered hope, but Heybridge held firm, leaving Walthamstow frustrated.

With Tilbury next on the horizon, Stow will look to bounce back from this disappointing result.