Waltham Forest earned their first win of the season in a spectacular 3-2 victory over Wroxham.
With several new signings in the starting line-up, Waltham Forest were hoping to bounce back from three straight defeats which saw them rock bottom of the table.
The game started at a high tempo, both teams pressing high and moving the ball around quickly. It was Waltham Forest who were on the front foot early on but a swift counter attack on the right hand side saw Wroxham’s Gordon have the first chance of the match with a low drive towards the near post- a comfortable save.
Forest looked rejuvenated and in the 15th minute they finally got their break through. Breaking forward, Isaac Harfo used his lightning pace to beat his man and flashed a ball across goal. Wroxham keeper Cruickshank looked to have smothered the low cross, however the ball fired off his chest leaving Oyewale with an easy tap-in.
Forest looked like a new side, but old habits die hard. Before the celebrations had even finished Worxham’s Paul Cook latched onto a missed clearance from Kartal for an easy equaliser.
Despite the setback, Waltham Forest continued to look the dominant force. Mejzini and Oyewale linked up well to set up Worrell who fired over.
It seemed only a matter of time until Forest got their second and with half an hour gone, it came. Forest were awarded a free kick just outside the opponents box which Worrell elegantly caressed into the top corner.
Oyewale has been a bright spark since the campaign started and continued to harass defenders. With a jinking run on the left hand side, Oyewale cut inside and could only be denied by the crossbar.
Forest were completely dominant and only a lack of footballs allowed Wroxham a very welcomed breather. With media manager/ ball boy Andrzej Perkins getting the game underway again- Forest continued to look sharp and went in half time with a 2-1 lead.
The explosive first half didn’t seem to affect the players, as the second half started in the same high tempo as the first.
Again Worrell looked dangerous- this time turning the defender only to shoot wide of the mark.
Just moments after, Worrell headed a cross by Zambelli which seemed to be heading for the top corner only to be denied by a class save from Cruickshank.
Forest looked good but were made to pay for missed opportunities after Durrant was able to round the keeper to top off a fine passing move from the away team.
With some encouraging words from the Forest manager, the home side continued to look impressive.
With time ticking away, the restless home fan thought Worrell had scored when he met a cross just six yards from goal. Somehow he missed.
Again Forest broke forward, this time a great counter attack saw Adakan-Hasan clip a lovely ball over the away team’s defence which saw Worrell attempted a cheeky lob- again denied by the bar. Would Forest pay for their missed chances?
Cue Oyewale.
Breaking on the right hand side, substitute Ezel left his man for dead and pulled back the cross for Oyewale who scored with a sublime outside the boot volley.
The final whistle was met with great applause with the players and manager bombarded with overjoyed fans.