Walthamstow 2-1 Sporting Bengal United

Stow returned to winning ways at home to old Essex Senior League pals Sporting Bengal United, on a day when the game itself was of secondary importance. Over 800 family, friends and supporters packed out the Lodge to pay tribute to Stow U23splayer Kaylen Dennis, who tragically passed away in the week during a game.

Vinny Murphy made several changes to the team who had lost to Heybridge Swifts, with Dwight Pascal and Callum Ibe returning to the starting line-up, and Elliott Kettle making his first start. There was also a debut for Finn Rushden between the sticks, a recent signing from Marlow.

Stow almost made the perfect start, with Louie Johnson rattling the crossbar on the volley in the first minute. From then it was one-way traffic. Ibe was played through by Rasheed Salau, but dragged his one-on-one shot wide from a narrow angle.

But it mattered little, as Ibe made amends six minutes later. Pascal’s surging run out of defence split the Bengal back line, and the ball made its way out wide to Tayo Oyebola via Johnson. Oyebola’s cross was perfect, picking out Ibe in the box who bundled home.

It could have been two on 20 minutes, if not for an incredible save from Sidi Haidara, who somehow acrobatically tipped away Ibe’s goal-bound header. The rebound fell to Oyebola, but he couldn’t quite get enough of a leap on the high ball and headed against the crossbar.

Ibe, returning after a couple of months out through injury, was at the centre of everything Stow produced, and had another good shot saved from the edge of the box.

Stow were in control, but two injuries just before and after half time really disrupted their flow. First skipper Te Wihongi limped off with a thigh strain, then Oyebola was forced off after taking a blow to the face.

In between, Bengal levelled from the spot through Joe Gregory on 46 minutes. Few in the ground could work out what the penalty was awarded for, but there were no complaints from the Stow defence and Gregory put the spot kick away with aplomb. It turned out to be Bengal’s only meaningful effort on goal all game.

In truth, the second half was a dour affair. Stow were struggling to string any passes together, more often finding touch than a teammate. Meanwhile, Bengal were happy to sit back and deal with the little they had to.

As the game approached the 90th minute, a big tackle from Kevin Songolo finally got Stow going and the home side began to ramp up the pressure.

On 93 minutes Ibe picked up the ball on the edge of the box, beat a man and laid off to Bilal Sayoud who popped a fairly tame effort on goal. But Haidara – Bengal’s hero in the first half – turned to Santa has he gifted Stow an early Christmas present, letting the ball through his hands and into the back of the net, sending the Stow fans into raptures.

Last week, Stow had deserved at least a point but came back from Heybridge empty-handed. This time around, Stow picked up all three despite only meriting one. But as the old saying goes, that’s football.

Proceeds from the gate will be donated to Kaylen Dennis’ family, and an online fundraiser has almost reached the £10,000 mark. You can donate to that here. The Stow first team players have also donated £500 to the fundraiser.

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