Walthamstow 1-2 Brightlingsea Regent

Walthamstow fell to defeat on Saturday after a 2-1 loss at home against Brightlingsea Regent.

Stow looked the better side during the opening exchanges and proved that by taking the lead early on. Shawn Joseph’s cross found Keano Robinson who turned and found the far corner netting his second in two games for the Stow.

The home side kept continuing to pile on the pressure when both Charlie Heatley and Wilson Bernal were denied from close range, but the game changed on the half hour mark. Ola Bello got onto the end of a loose back pass and found himself one on one with goalkeeper David Hughes, who rushed out of his goal and took out Bello outside the box. The referee had no choice but to give Hughes a card he wouldn’t have wanted on Valentines Day – a straight red card. Stow were reduced to 10 men, but more importantly had no goalkeeper on the bench. Goalscorer Keano Robinson stepped in between the sticks for the remainder of the game.

Regent would take advantage of this and equalise just one minute after. A corner was met by Michael Okafor who rose highest and found the net to level the game for the visitors.

The Rs would then take the lead four minutes before half time when a free kick was headed in by Jake Clowsley at the front post past Robinson and into the net.

Stow should’ve been awarded a penalty in the third minute of added time when Charlie Heatley was taken down in the box, however the referee who was standing just behind him waved it away.

The second half began with Stow remaining on the front foot even though they were down to 10 men. Rasheed Salau’s header was into the path of Charlie Heatley, and his effort was pushed over the bar by goalkeeper Luke Avenell. Three minutes later, Joseph’s long throw was headed on by Teddy Stacey but was comfortably saved.

Brightlingsea came close to sealing the win with four minutes from time when Shane Temple picked up the ball outside the box and fired it against the crossbar.

Stow kept on pushing for an equaliser but were unable to find one and the points were secured by Regent. Walthamstow remain in 14th place and make the trip to Concord Rangers next Saturday.