Waltham Forest 1-2 Harlow Town
Forest’s nine season stay at step four of the non-league ladder seems all but over after another disappointing defeat: this time at the hands of Harlow Town. On a pitch which made playing football near impossible, Harlow hardly had to break sweat to put away a Forest side who were void of ideas and urgency.
It only took Harlow five minutes to gain the lead. Gbenga Sonuga was forced into giving away a corner, and Antone Douglas could only divert the resulting set piece into the path of Steve Ferguson who poked in a finish at the back post.
For the next quarter of the hour, Forest began to press a lot more, but struggled to get through an experienced Harlow defence. When Forest did eventually get through, a Joel Palmer fired wide after a neat one-two with Josh Bonnett.
Harlow upped their game shortly after, and had two chances in quick succession. First Donny Barnard’s low shot was well dealt with by Anguilley in the Forest goal, and then Antone Douglas was well positioned to deflect Leon Lalite’s shot over the bar.
Just before half time came Forest’s best chance of the half. Billy Healey was allowed room outside the area, and leant back to half volley the ball onto the crossbar, with James Hassell in the Harlow goal left with no chance. Josh Bonnett was booked for dissent shortly after.
The start of the second half saw some fairly woeful play from both sides, which was not helped by a referee who would not allow the game to flow. Forest did have a few chances in the second half. Ian Luck found himself through on goal in two occasions, but Harlow defended well and were able to clear their lines.
On the second of these occasions, Hassell used the ball well, and Harlow were able to counter attack well. David Cowley was unchallenged on the edge of the area, and his low, slow shot crept its way through a masse of players into the back of the net.
Forest did continue to try and break Harlow down, but their only plan seemed to be the long ball, which was comfortably dealt with every time. The home side did however pull a goal back. Josh Bonnett was taken down just outside the area, and Bonnett was able to step up and curl the subsequent free kick into the back of the net.
This late goal was not enough for Forest though, who now find themselves bottom of the table, six points adrift of Ilford. Ilford’s superior goal difference means that Forest are pretty much relegated, and unless they are reprieved by the FA in June, they will be playing in the Essex Senior League next season. Elsewhere, East Thurrock’s 3-0 win over Redbridge saw them confirmed as Division 1 North Champions at long last.
Attendance: 72
Man of the match: Josh Bonnett
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Today’s other results:
Brentwood 1-1 Cheshunt
Enfield Town 1-0 Ilford
Great Wakering Rovers 1-2 Maldon & Tiptree
Heybridge Swifts 2-2 Wingate & Finchley
Needham Market 4-2 Waltham Abbey
Potters Bar Town 1-0 Tilbury
Redbridge 0-3 East Thurrock United
Romford 1-3 AFC Sudbury
Ware 4-1 Thamesmead