Waltham Forest 1-2 Eton Manor

Waltham Forest suffered a pre-season loss to a familiar looking Eton Manor side. The opponents’ squad included Sam Tanner, Joe Lustig, Stuart Houghton, Des & Andy Thomas and Kieran King, who is now managing the Essex Senior League side.

The opening half of the match was a rather tentative affair, with neither side really troubling the goalmouths.

However, the second half was altogether different, with both sides creating chances in an end-to-end affair.

Two goals in three minutes gave Manor their win. Forest will feel they could have done better to prevent both – the first, a free header from a set piece, and the second, a loose ball which was pounced on by the Manor forward.

The two-goal lead was short-lived as Forest’s set-piece expert Matt Waldron curled a sumptuous effort past Sam Tanner into the top corner of the net.

Moments later Waldron had the chance to do it again, but could only direct his effort straight at the Manor ‘keeper.

It may have only been a friendly, and the result may not have gone in Forest’s favour, but there was a real positive atmosphere around the ground, helped no doubt by the attendance in the high 40s.

Forest now travel to Thamesmead on Saturday.

Click here to download the programme from last night’s match.

Image: Alam Zaman