Stow 1-1 Felixstowe & Walton

Third-placed Walthamstow hosted league leaders Felixstowe and Walton Utd on a sunny afternoon more akin to an August Saturday rather than an October one.

The home side made a bright start and after only three minutes, Demary Anyadike fired in a low cross only for Felixstowe’s keeper to scramble the ball away from Marcus Painter who was waiting to pounce at the far post.

Felixstowe weren’t so lucky in the 14th minute, when, from a Walthamstow corner and the resulting goalmouth scramble, Jardell Sterling scored from a metre out.

Walthamstow continued to enjoy the best of the first half without ever looking like extending their lead whilst the visitors only occasionally threatened on the break.

The second half started much in the same vein, with continued pressure from the hosts seeing a number of half chances to increase their lead go begging.

However, the game turned in the 68th minute when the visitors were awarded an indirect free kick in the Walthamstow area. Although the set piece was deflected wide, Felixstowe began to raise their game and to have the bulk of the possession and chances.

Despite this, Walthamstow could have settled the game in the 88th minute but Anyadike was only able to fire into the side netting when through on goal.

Walthamstow were defending resolutely but the pressure took its toll and in the 90th minute, Felixstowe’s Josh Mayhew rescued a point, and their unbeaten record, when he stooped to head home a deserved equaliser.

Report by Chris Evans