Walthamstow 2-1 Tilbury
Walthamstow ran out as winners on Saturday after a 2-1 win at home against Tilbury in the Isthmian League.
It was a real game of two halves, with Stow coming out victorious and deserving a worthy three points.
Stow began the first half with hitting the post just four minutes in. Two former Dockers in Jordan Peart and Callum Ibe linked up together as Peart’s cross found Ibe unmarked in the box but his shot hit the far post and was cleared away.
Tilbury then began to take control of the game with chances coming via Dan Trendall. Kieran Jones’ pass found Trendall through on goal, but he fired wide of the post, and a cross from Lester Ward was headed wide.
The visitors took their chance in the 27th minute and went 1-0 up thanks to captain Jack Hayes. When at Stow, Joe Elliott’s long throws deemed to cause trouble for the opposition, and it did. His throw was cleared away only as far as the Tilbury skipper who volleyed home through a load of bodies and into the net.
The second half was dominated by Stow, who were given a penalty in the 54th minute when Jordan Peart was brought down in the box. Brian Garzon stepped up and sent goalkeeper Bill Lawlor the wrong way to draw Stow level.
Stow should have been awarded another penalty with less than twenty minutes to go for a stonewall handball. Brian Garzon’s corner was met by Keano Robinson, producing a brilliant save from Bill Lawlor which was pushed onto the crossbar and punched away by Tilbury defender Luke Reeves. The referee was not convinced and pointed for a goal kick to the surprise of everyone in the ground.
Stow were now looking for the winning goal and came close through Brian Garzon. Shawn Joseph’s long ball was headed down by Teddy Stacey into the path of Garzon who took a touch away from his man and fired his effort just wide.
In the fifth minute of injury time, Stow were awarded a penalty. A loose back pass from the Tilbury player was pounced onto by Callum Ibe who was taken out by goalkeeper Bill Lawlor after clearing the ball. The referee had little hesitation in pointing to the spot, much to the anger of the Tilbury players and bench, and to Stow’s surprise. Brian Garzon stepped up once again and put the ball in the same corner and sealed the three points for the Stow.
Walthamstow remain in 15th and sit 8 points out of the relegation zone. Stow now have three away games on the bounce, with a trip to Lowestoft Town on Tuesday.
