It’s a tough start for Tony but the future looks promising

THERE has been no honeymoon period for Waltham Forest boss Tony Iveoli to celebrate as the team slipped to their second defeat in two games under the new regime and their sixth on the trot. Iveoli swept the plate clean straight away by starting with ten new players for the visit of Enfield on Saturday, all of whom were competing at under-18 level last year.

But that made little difference as the visitors spoiled the manager’s first match in the hot seat, thrashing the Stags 6-0, while despite a much-improved performance, high-flying Wingate proved too strong for the team on Tuesday.

Things looked to have taken an upward turn as the visitors took the lead through Yacine Hamada in midweek.

His precise shot found its mark inside the right corner and the memories of Saturday were suddenly erased, with the team stroking the ball around with ease on a pristine pitch.

However, just four minutes later it was back to square one, as a slick move saw the hosts force a corner, with Craig Ellis rising above his marker to plant his header past Steven Blewitt in the Stags’ goal.

Wingate then took the lead shortly after the break when Dean Williams raced clear and buried his shot past Blewitt, leaving Forest with too much to do.

Iveoli will take plenty of positives from the game however, as his crop of youngsters more than matched their superior opponents.

It was a marked improvement from what was a disastrous debut for the boss at the weekend, as goals from Rudi Hall, Michael Deane, Simon Tickner, Jon Stephenson, Ellis Remy and Gaz Dauti confined the Stags to a demoralising loss.