Walthamstow 2-0 Redbridge

Walthamstow picked up an overdue three points with a 2-0 victory over Redbridge in the Isthmian Division One North.

It was a cagey opening, with neither side able to create anything meaningful. That was until the 24th minute when Louie Johnson picked out Bilal Sayoud. Sayoud worked a yard of space for himself on the edge of the box but shot narrowly wide.

Walthamstow were then forced into two first-half changes, with Rasheed Salau and Malaki Toussaint both limping off injured, to be replaced by Tayo Oyebola and Koby Yeboah.

And it was one of the substitutes that played a key role in Stow’s opener. Callum Ibe picked up a loose ball in midfield and surged forward before playing the ball into Oyebola. The Stow forward’s deft first touch played the ball through to Johnson who lashed home at Max Spence’s front post.

Stow began to turn the screw in the second half, creating plenty but struggling to find that killer instinct.

Alie Njie headed wide at the back post from a Wyan Ried cross just after the break, and Sayoud had a free kick well saved five minutes later.

On 77 Stow had their biggest chance of the half yet. Oyebola was played through down the right, but saw his shot well saved by Spence, though only into the path of Ibe. Ibe drove a low, hard shot but Spence recovered brilliantly and denied Stow again. Oyebola hit the post from the follow-up, but the whistle had already blown for offside by then.

The way Stow’s recent form had gone, their supporters were probably readying themselves for a late Redbridge equaliser, but the visitors rarely threatened and it was Tyrone Baker who made sure of the three points.

Another counter attacking move resulted in Ibe cutting back to Baker who unleashed an unstoppable curling effort from the edge of the box which hit both posts before crossing the line.

Stow now travel to Maldon & Tiptree United on Saturday.