Walthamstow v Witham Town preview
Walthamstow welcome Witham Town to E17 this Tuesday evening in the Isthmian League.
This fixture was originally scheduled for the 12th September. But due to Stow’s progress in the FA Trophy, the game was postponed.
Stow returned to winning ways on Saturday after a close 1-0 win over bottom of the league Fakenham Town. The game was far from a classic, but Stow got the job done thanks to James Collins’ screamer goal in the first half. Fakenham didn’t make it easy for the Stow in the second half, pushing for an equaliser. But Stow’s robust defence hung onto the three points and another clean sheet.
Our visitors – The Town
Witham have had a mixed start to the season, currently sitting in 13th – three places and points behind Stow. On Saturday, the Town hosted Bowers & Pitsea at the Simarco Stadium and beat them 7-1, which is the second time in two weeks as they beat Bowers by the same scoreline in the Essex Senior Cup. Witham were three goals up by half time thanks to a brace from George Smith and a goal from Fred King. Ryan Mallett, Liam Whipps and Gabe Campbell added their names onto the scoresheet while George Smith rounded off his hattrick from the penalty spot. Bowers did get a consolation via Manny Shana.
After demolishing Bowers in the ESC, Witham were drawn away to Wivenhoe Town in the next round. In the other cup competitions, Witham got to the Second Qualifying Round of the FA Cup after beating Colney Heath, Potters Bar and Stotfold, but lost out to Step 3 side St Albans City. The Town were knocked out in the first hurdle of the Trophy after losing to Concord Rangers on penalties. In the league cup, Witham beat fellow Isthmian North side Little Oakley, and will face last year’s FA Vase winners AFC Stoneham in the next round.
Previous meetings
Last season, Stow picked up six points against Witham with an aggregate score of 9-3. In late September, Stow travelled to Essex on a Tuesday night and took Witham apart winning 5-0, thanks to goals from Jordan Peart, Rasheed Salau, Brian Garzon and a brace from Gassem Benelghazi. The reverse fixture took place in January with Stow winning that one 4-3. Charlie Heatley scored his first for the club in the first half to give Stow the lead at half time. Callum Ibe and Brian Garzon made it three, before Jordan Elongo pulled one back for the visitors. Heatley made it 4-1 with one of the best goals ever scored at the Lodge, and Witham pulled two more back through Sam Bantick and Ziad Bakaar to make it 4-3 and a nervy end to the game, but Stow hung onto the win.
| 15/10/1977 | 1977-78 | Essex Senior Trophy | Home | 1 | 3 |
| 07/05/1996 | 1995-6 | Essex Thameside Trophy | Home | 1 | 3 |
| 22/08/2006 | 2006-7 | Isthmian League Division One North | Away | 3 | 7 |
| 13/02/2007 | 2006-7 | Isthmian League Division One North | Home | 3 | 1 |
| 27/10/2007 | 2007-8 | Isthmian League Division One North | Home | 5 | 1 |
| 05/04/2008 | 2007-8 | Isthmian League Division One North | Away | 1 | 4 |
| 20/09/2008 | 2008-9 | Isthmian League Division One North | Away | 1 | 1 |
| 25/11/2008 | 2008-9 | Isthmian League Cup | Away | 5 | 0 |
| 24/01/2009 | 2008-9 | Isthmian League Division One North | Home | 1 | 0 |
| 03/11/2012 | 2012-13 | Isthmian League Division One North | Away | 1 | 2 |
| 13/04/2013 | 2012-13 | Isthmian League Division One North | Home | 1 | 2 |
| 30/11/2013 | 2013-14 | Isthmian League Division One North | Home | 1 | 5 |
| 29/03/2014 | 2013-14 | Isthmian League Division One North | Away | 1 | 4 |
| 26/08/2023 | 2023-24 | Isthmian League Division 1 North | Home | A | A |
| 13/09/2023 | 2023-24 | Isthmian League Division 1 North | Home | 0 | 0 |
| 30/03/2024 | 2023-24 | Isthmian League Division 1 North | Away | 0 | 3 |
| 05/10/2024 | 2024-25 | Isthmian League Division 1 North | Away | 2 | 1 |
| 25/03/2025 | 2024-25 | Isthmian League Division 1 North | Home | 1 | 2 |
| 23/09/2025 | 2025-26 | Isthmian League Division 1 North | Away | 5 | 0 |
| 17/01/2026 | 2026-27 | Isthmian League Division 1 North | Home | 4 | 3 |
Walthamstow and Witham’s common people
Players to have featured for both sides include Tayo Oyebola, Elliot Justham, Umaru Kabia, Michael Bareck, Rasheed Salau, Gaz Dauti, Joe Alatise, Danny Flynn, Jordan Peart, Khris Oti, Correy Davidson, Ryan Imbert, Tim Monsheju, Michael Osei, Lewis Grancis, Spencer Harrison and Nnamdi Nwachuku.
Sam Bantick signed for Stow back in 2019, without actually playing for us.