Walthamstow returned to winning ways with a 2-1 win at home against Downham Town.
The game almost never started, as Downham were stuck on the M11, with kick off eventually delwayed until 4.15pm. When things eventually got going, Stow started bright and were straight on the front foot.
Returning to Stow for his first appearance in 15 years, Joe Ellul was causing problems for the Downham defence on set pieces, and nearly helped Stow get the first goal of the afternoon. A cross into the box found the centre back who headed down for Samir Ali, and he laid the ball off for Brian Garzon, but his shot was blocked and cleared away.
Ellul nearly became creator again when his long ball found Ali, but his shot lacked power and rolled wide of the post.
Stow were really looking to get in front and had two golden chances but couldn’t take either of them. Joe Elliott’s long throw in dropped right on the goal line with no one to tap home, and Ali’s cross took a flick off Brian Garzon into the path of Malachi Belboda but he couldn’t take the opportunity, and it was eventually cleared.
Just four minutes later, Downham took the lead against the run of play. Krisztian Gagyi’s cross was flicked on by Artus Visocanskis into the path of captain Matthew Castellan whose pass hit Stow skipper Joe Elliott, but the ball fell back to Castellan and he played the ball over the top to Charlie Royle who calmly slotted home.
Stow got their goal they were looking for on the 42nd minute. Garzon’s floated in corner was headed by Ellul but was cleared only as far as the defender who slammed the ball into the top corner levelling up the game.
The second half began with Stow once again looking more dominant in attack. Ali’s ball into the box was parried by Downham keeper Jasper Briggs with no one unable to pounce on the chance.
Stow kept pushing for their second and had the ball in the net, but it was ruled out for offside. Garzon’s cross into the box found Ellul unmarked at the back post who headed powerfully into the net, but the linesman’s flag was raised.
With just under ten minutes to go, Stow got their second of the afternoon and this one counted. Elliott’s long throw ins kept causing trouble for the Downham defence and it eventually paid off when goalkeeper Jasper Briggs punched the ball into his own net.
Walthamstow held on to the three points, and travel to Grays Athletic on Wednesday night looking to recreate their positive form.