Waltham Forest 0-4 Needham Market

The first half was made of very few chances with an early chance falling to Needham Market with Ryan Crisp with a shot cross that was nearly turned in with the outstretched leg of Russell Malton.

Moments after, Needham Market’s Ryan Charles ran through the defence and shot which seemed to have hit the hand of the Forest defender but was waved away from the referee.

Just minutes after the controversial refereeing decision another arose. A 30 yard free kick from Market’s Luke Ingam was parried by Tengara. Tengara then seemed to have been fouled as he smothered the ball; meanwhile the ball was poked home to give the visitors a 1-0 lead going into the break.

The refereeing decisions were a major factor throughout the game. Perhaps trying to make up for his previous mistake the referee booked Russel Marlton for a challenge on the keeper.

Seconds before the whistle, a free header from a Needham Market corner was saved by somehow pinballed away to safety.

Despite the visitors being the better of the first half, Waltham Forest looked in determined spirits and the first chance of the half went to the home side as Ikumelo’s misplaced pass we gathered by Fisher who shot wide.
The referee was yet again in the spotlight as a bizarre offside decision that was given by the linesman was ignored as the away side continued to attack.

It was clear from both sets of fans that the referee did not have control over the game and 20 minutes into the second half tempers finally erupted. A scramble off the ball lead to a rumble on the pitch with nearly all members of both sides involved. The referee issued several booking but it was Menga who was shown red for sarcastically clapping the referee’s first decision to book him.

With ten men Waltham Forest were still in the game but a sloppy pass by Fisher was picked up by Market’s Izzet who slotted it in nicely to Crsip who finished well.

Before Waltham Forest could regroup Needham Market snatch another. Cisp and Izzet linked up again as Cisp led a four on two attack which lead to a simple lay off and tap in for Izzet.

The game was over in terms of the score line but Forest continued to press. Fisher the culprit of the second goal, attempted to make up for his mistake as he played a pin point pass through the defence into Worrell who smashed it well over.

The battering the Tangara took throughout the game led to the substitute keeper coming on who could only half punch clear an effort which lead to Market’s Mills volleying into an empty net
The referee was really to blame for the harsh score line, however in truth Needham Market perhaps deserved the victory.