Report
Walthamstow progressed to the Quarter Finals of the Errington Cup thanks to a dominant second half performance against Redbridge.
There were a number of changes for the visitors, with Micky Wetherall taking over as manager just a couple of days previously, while Will Hunt returned between the sticks for Stow.
In a cagey first half it was Redbridge who had the first meaningful chance, having an effort cleared off the line following a short spell of pressure.
At the other end, Leon McKenzie was inches away from getting on the end of a cross from Reece Conway, before Hussain Jaffa was in the right place at the right time to turn in a loose ball following a header from Dwade James.
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James could have made it two just before half time, but he saw his one-on-one effort hit the inside of the post and bounce clear.
If there was any danger of Redbridge coming out fighting at the start of the second half, Stow quickly dealt with it. Lewis Greene and Jerry Jairette contrived to make a hash of a routine clearance, and when the ball eventually fell to Christian Owusu, the striker’s shot was blocked with a hand, leaving the referee no option but to point to the spot. Despite Greene going the right way, Owusu’s kick was too powerful and found the bottom corner.
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From then on it was one-way traffic, save for Calvin Poku trying to slap the ball into the Forest net, and earning a yellow for his troubles.
Owusu made it three from almost 30 yards; looking up to find no suitable passes, Christian simply let fire, finishing in the same corner as his free kick.
Redbridge were reduced to ten men when Remi Nelson was shown the second of two incredibly soft yellow cards for blocking James’ run. Vinny Murphy picked out James with the resulting free kick, who cut back to Alejandro Seoane-Barber for a simple debut goal.
There was still time for James to get on the score sheet, holding off two defenders before rounding Greene and slotting home.
In the dying moments, Redbridge hit the bar from a tight angle, but it was a deserved victory and clean sheet for Stow, who face Stansted in the quarter finals.