Waltham Forest 1-2 Witham Town

Waltham Forest set out to stop Witham Town’s unbeaten run, which is 5 games and counting, with the last defeat coming against Aveley at the beginning of March. The Stags meanwhile, were looking to play for pride and the potential of next season.

Compared to their last match against Needham Market this was far more entertaining despite the elements trying their best to stop the fine football on display.

The Stags took an 8th minute lead. An attack down the right hand side crossed in by Forest skipper Luke Stanley saw a deflected shot by Manu Dagher ruffle the back of the net.

After 13 minutes a free kick was given near the corner flag which was crossed in the box, however Tom Vickers saw his attempt sail over the bar.

On 23 minutes Witham had a corner on the right with the resulting header by Tom Devaux flying wide.

As the game was entering the 30 minute mark Forest had an attack down the left as a low cross by Joel Palmer was poked wide by Manu Dagher.

Just before half time, Witham’s number 2 Scott Pethers ran past the Stags’ defence too easily. His cross into the box looked like it was going in but it thankfully for the locals it rose over the bar and the result of that made it half time with the Stags leading 1-0.

At the half time break both managers made some changes with subs Chris Taylor coming on for Waltham Forest whilst for Witham Danny Emmanuel came on.

As the 2nd half got underway Witham had an early free kick on the right but it was no problem for the Forest defence to clear.

However after 53 minutes the visitors’ attack down the left was crossed in by Lewis Godbold and headed in by their in form striker Rob Whitnell.

Sadly, the goal had been coming as Witham’s precision had been off up till then.

So now we had a game on our hands, as straight afterwards a cross in by Luke Stanley saw a shot from George Lutaaya saved easily by Danny Sambridge in the Witham goal.

In the 65th minute a cross by Witham down the right by Lewis Goldbold again was met by Rob Whitnell in the box that made it 2-1 to Witham.

In that run the Stags had an injury to deal with as Timi Osibodu come off with a suspected hamstring problem, being replaced by Ahmed Mohammad.

On 70 mins a yellow card was shown to Tim Monsheju, but this did not stop the Stags who went down the wing and an overhead kick by Jack Leachman was an excellent opportunity that may have worked on another day.

The final 10 mins saw another shot low by Lewis Goldbold , but again the shot went well wide of the goal.

The Stags looked to have equalised on 82nd minutes as Tim Monsheju’s low shot hit the side netting almost squeezing in the near post.
With 5mins to play the Stags substituted goalkeepers, as soon as Cain Davies in the forest goal came on he was kept extremely busy and helped by the post to keep the game close.

Deep into injury time the Stags went down to 10 men with Ferai Hallam sent off for a mistimed tackle.

Despite an upbeat display on a very poor pitch its 6 games Witham have won now in a row whilst the Stags are now thinking about the new season ahead.

Report by Peter Willoughby