Walthamstow 3-0 Ware
Walthamstow put in one of their best performances of the season, dismantling fifth-placed Ware at a bouncing Wadham Lodge. The two sides met at Ware’s Wodson Park a few weeks ago in an all-time classic; ten man Stow running out 6-4 winners after trailing 4-3 with 90 minutes played, but this time around it was a lot more straightforward.
Stow were without Kieran Turner who was unavailable, but were boosted by the return of Caoilan McGettitgan at left back.
After Saturday’s sub-par performance against Barton Rovers, Stow looked hungry from the first whistle and almost carved out an opportunity three minutes in when Callum Ibe lofted a ball through to Demaray Anyadike, but Fred Burbidge in the Ware goal was just quick enough to come out and clear the ball to safety.
For all of Stow’s positive start, it was Ware who got the opening goal of the game – or so they thought. The ball was played across goal to Brandon Adams, who challenged McGettigan and shot towards goal. At this point, the assistant referee half-heartedly waved his flag for a foul, before putting the flag back down. Brad Robinson saved Adams’ effort, but the rebound fell kindly to Liam Dulson who tapped into an empty net. The referee did well to spot his assistant’s brief flutter of florescent yellow, and after a quick chat, disallowed the goal for a foul on McGettigan.
The following 20 or so minutes passed without either side being able to carve out any real opportunities, though led on by the tenacity of Callum Ibe and brothers Dan and Jack Green in midfield, Stow forced a number of first half corners. The visitors were slowing the game down at every opportunity, a ploy which was effective in stopping Stow from building up a head of steam.
The deadlock was broken on 39 minutes. A fine passing move involving Anyadike, Ibe and Bilal Sayoud put the latter in space down the left wing. A stepover gave him the space he needed to get a cross in, which was inch-perfect in picking out Duncan Culley who smashed the ball into the roof of the net from eight yards.
Stow may have expected more from Ware at the start of the second half, but it was Nicky Ironton’s side who grabbed the game by the scruff of the neck. On 53 minutes, Ibe and Dan Green combined to hustle in midfield, winning the ball back and setting Ibe on his way with a driving run towards the box. His cut back was just behind Culley, but it fell perfectly to Sayoud who took a touch to shift his weight before steering the ball low into the bottom corner.
By now, Stow were in complete control of the midfield, forcing Ware to resort to pumping the ball long somewhere towards Adams, but more often than not, straight out of play.
The goal which put the game beyond doubt came on the hour mark. Burbidge’s two-man wall couldn’t decide whether to go left or right, and ended up doing both, leaving a huge gap for Anyadike to swing his free kick straight onto Carl Mensah’s head who couldn’t miss from six yards out.
Ware did manage to get through down Stow’s left once in the second half, but Williams could only fire into the side netting from a tight angle.
There was still time for Stow to press, and Percy Winter forced a good stop from Burbidge with a low curling effort from the edge of the box. Anyadike and Sayoud continued to have fun down either wing, but didn’t push the envelope too much, knowing the game was done.
The win solidifies Stow’s play-off hopes, now being six points ahead of sixth-placed Biggleswade Town with a game in hand. However, Stow’s final five games include tough away trips to Highworth and Cirencester, and the visits of second-placed Biggleswade and champions Berkhamsted, so they will be well aware that nothing is certain yet.
