Walthamstow 3-2 Downham Town
Walthamstow progressed to the Second Qualifying Round of the FA Trophy in the most dramatic of fashions winning 3-2 with the last touch of the game.
Stow had the better start and had the chance to go in front 20 minutes in. Tyrone Baker capitalised on a mistake from the Downham defence which gave him the chance to play Rasheed Salau through on goal, however he smashed the ball against the frame of the goal.
Seven minutes later, the visitors took the lead. A mistake from the Stow defence let striker Dylan Edge pick up the ball and run through on goal firing past David Hughes.
Downham doubled their lead six minutes before half time. The visitors caught the Stow defence sleeping leading Charlie Royle to find an unmarked Jacob White in the box and he made Stow pay giving Downham a second goal before the break.
The second 45 started in the home side’s favour with Stow getting a goal back just two minutes in. Brian Garzon’s corner was parried by goalkeeper Duncan McAnally into the path of Olu Oluwatimilehin who headed home reducing the deficit.
The chances were slowly coming for Stow as they nearly got the leveller through Oluwatimilehin. Jared Small’s cross found the midfielder in the box but he could only head wide from 6 yards out.
Stow eventually found the equalising goal on the hour mark. The returning Callum Ibe received the ball from Salau and skipped past two defenders before placing the ball into the bottom corner past an on rushing McAnally.
Downham could have almost regained the lead if it wasn’t for some brilliant defending from Jordan Peart. A long ball over the top found frontman Edge who skipped past Coker but his shot was blocked by Peart denying the visitors.
With the last touch of the game, Stow completed the comeback and sealed up the win. Substitute Pedro Carvalho picked up the ball on the right-hand side and put in a great ball to the back post which was headed into his own net by substitute Ben Smith sending Wadham Lodge into pandemonium.
Stow will find out the opponents of the Second Qualifying Round on Monday. Next weekend, Stow take on Brantham Athletic at home in the Isthmian League North Division.
