Waltham Forest 2-1 Cheshunt
Before the match, many would have expected this match, with nothing really resting on it to be an end of season dead-rubber.
However, after being reduced to ten men after only 17 minutes, Waltham Forest showed steely ambition to take all three points. Make no mistake, this was a hard fought win and each and every man played his part.
Cheshunt opened well with home ‘keeper Omand tipping an Andrew West header acrobatically over the bar in the opening five minutes.
Both sides had difficulty in coming to terms with the wind and a horribly bumpy pitch but on 17 minutes Referee, Mr Feerick sent off Forest Captain, Adrian Clifton.
Clifton became tangled with Cheshunt’s Ryan Wade just outside the Forest penalty area, and when Wade kicked Clifton, the Forest skipper lashed out in retaliation. Almost a minute later, when the Assistant Referee notified the man in the middle of the incident, Clifton was correctly sent off, while Wade escaped with only a booking.
Dane Harriott suffered an injury midway through the first half, and was replaced by Arian Retkoceri.
Soon after, Forest had another player in the referee’s book. Matt Waldron was late going in on Ruff, but it was more likely that his reaction to Wade’s theatrics cost him the caution.
Forest reformed and battled well with centre half Nicolas Bondon outstanding at the back. On the stroke of half time Forest took the lead when they won a free kick 35 yards out on the right of the Cheshunt penalty area. Inaki Ordono fired into the top corner of the net with a shot that would grace any Premiership game.
Just after half time, Cheshunt should have been back in the game. A low cross was met by Wade, who somehow conspired to miss from only a yard out.
Forest increased their lead on 61 minutes. Chris Taylor worked the ball brilliantly to Manu Dagher’s chest, allowing Forest’s top scorer to turn and lash in a sumptuous volley, leaving Williamson stranded in the Cheshunt goal.
Almost straight away, Cheshunt pulled a goal back when Andrew West was left unmarked to head into the bottom corner from a set-piece. Both sides then attacked and defended in equal measure but it was Forest who harried and fought for every ball who finally ran out deserved victors, ensuring their Ryman League status for another season.
Forest: Omand, Sackey, Ordono, Moise, Waldron, Bondon, Harriott (Retkoceri (Conteh)), Clifton (c), Taylor, Okanu (Shittu), Dagher
Unused subs: Spencer, Green
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