Walthamstow 1-2 Concord Rangers

Walthamstow’s winless run continued on Saturday after a 2-1 loss at home to Concord Rangers.

The game contained a real lack of quality from both sides, with Concord punishing on more mistakes from the Stow defence.

Both sides looked equal from the start with Concord nearly taking the lead just seven minutes in. A long range shot from Charlie Panton crashed against the frame of the goal and the rebound from Harrison Day rolled back across the face of goal.

Stow were making chances of their own but couldn’t put them on target. Caleb Dennis’ cross found the head of Rasheed Salau but his looping header flew wide of the far post, and Tyrone Baker’s cross found Gassem Benelghazi in the box but his shot took a dflection and was cleared away.

The visitors then started to take control and had multiple opportunities to take the lead. An attack from Stow transitioned into a counter attack from Concord, but the shot from Harrison Day was well saved by David Hughes. Concord did also have the ball in the net when Khris Oti poked home from a save parried by Hughes which was ruled out for offside.

Eventually, Concord did get their goal they were looking for. Hughes rushed out to clear a long ball, but Bobby Kelman nipped in before him and was able to take one touch away from Jared Small before rolling the ball into the empty net.

The second half began with the visitors getting their second of the afternoon. Kacper Gruszczynski’s forward ball found Kelman who skipped past Chris John with ease and fired the ball past Hughes to double their advantage.

On the hour mark, Stow got a goal back when Jordan Peart wriggled away from two defenders and put a ball into the box which was cleared away by Jamal Allen only as far as Demi Elegushi standing on the edge of the box. His shot was blocked on the line by Callum Knowlden which rebounded off the bar into the path of Brian Garzon who was on hand to fire home.

Peart was still causing trouble down the left-hand side and nearly helped Stow get their equaliser. His pass into the box found Garzon but his shot was blocked by Allen and cleared into the path of Caleb Dennis whose shot was also blocked and cleared away.

Stow had possibly the biggest chance to draw level but couldn’t put it away. A quick free kick was played out to Peart who put in a great cross into the box which was met by an unmarked Benelghazi but he headed just inches over the bar.

Walthamstow only sit just one point out of the bottom four, and have three away games in a row, travelling to Stanway Rovers on Tuesday.