Waltham Forest 4-1 Ware

This time last week, Forest were 10 points behind Ilford, and it seemed that their fate was well and truely sealed. However, two games and two wins later, and the gap is now only six points.

Forest kept Ware out for much of the first half, but Ryan Wade put the visitors ahead on the 41st minute. Stags manager Wale Ojelabi’s half time team-talk spurred his side into action, as Billy Healey came back to haunt his former club, equalizing with just nine second-half minutes played. The home side were clearly revitalized by this goal, and came back from a goal down for the first time this season: Joshua Bonnett scoring with 65 minutes on the clock. The longer the afternoon went on, the better things got for Forest, and they went 3-1 up on the 74th minute, Billy Healey netting his second of the game.

With the game seemingly under control, Forest’s recent habit of giving away penalties reared its ugly head.However this time, Ware’s Max Mitchell stepped up but saw his penelaty saved by the Forest ‘keeper. No sooner had Ware missed the penalty, Forest had compounded their misery, scoring a fourth goal of the game. This time it was Marvin Samuel’s turn to score, doing so in the 90th minute.

Ilford’s 2-0 defeat to Tilbury means that the gap between the two clubs is now only four points and Forest still have one game in hand. Forest face Needham Market next, but will fancy their chances after scoring four goals in a game for the first time this season.

Waltham Forest: Eric Pudaloff, Charlie Ofosu-Hene, Emmanuel Williams, Gbenga Ladega, Gazmend Dauti (C), Marvin Samuel, Denisas Zadeikis (Gbenga Sonuga, 55), Joshua Bonnett, Joel Palmer, Ian Luck (Richard Shittu, 55), Billy Healey (Rober Carter, 82)
Unused Subs: Joel Bevis, Chris Oyebanjo-Richardson 

Attendance: 36

Brentwood Town 1-2 Maldon Town      
Cheshunt – Thamesmead Town              
Enfield Town 2-1 Redbridge      
Grays Athletic 1-0 Waltham Abbey        
Great Wakering Rovers 1-1 Harlow Town           
Heybridge Swifts – East Thurrock United             
Needham Market 2-1 Romford               
Potters Bar Town 2-2 AFC Sudbury        
Tilbury 2-0 Ilford             
Waltham Forest 4-1 Ware