Welwyn Garden City v Walthamstow preview

Walthamstow travel to Welwyn Garden City in the Second Qualifying Round of the FA Trophy this weekend.

It’s been a while since Stow have last played, having a week’s break due to the FA Cup Qualifying Round’s played last weekend. Stow were last at Tilbury on Bank Holiday Monday, where they were defeated 2-1. Former Stow winger Bobby Rea gave the Dockers the lead a quarter of an hour in, which was the only goal of the first half. It was a comfortable afternoon for the hosts, who doubled their lead through Jonathan Nzengo right after half time. Joden Trickett found the net with ten minutes from time to give Stow a glimmer of hope to salvage a point. However, Tilbury held on to their first three points of the season.

Our hosts

Welwyn play in the Southern Central league, which Stow were allocated into in their first season back in Step 4 in 2022. The Citizens currently sit 2nd just behind Didcot Town – the side they lost to last Saturday. It wasn’t a great afternoon for debutant goalkeeper Oscar Frost who conceded two penalties and was booked for each one, meaning he was sent off. Owen James converted both penalties for Didcot, who then went three goals up with Reuben Harry’s goal before half time. Welwyn found the net after the break through Frankie Impey, but Harry’s second of the game made it 4-1 to Didcot.

Their other league games consist of 3-1 wins against Hadley and Barton Rovers and a 3-0 win against Ware. In the FA Cup, they were defeated 2-0 in the Extra Preliminary Round by Enfield, and beat two Isthmian North sides Buckhurst Hill and Mulbarton Wanderers in the Trophy. Stow will be hoping to end that streak on Saturday afternoon.

Previous meetings

It’s nearly four years since Stow and Welwyn have faced off against each other, with Stow picking up four points in each game. Welwyn hosted Stow on the first game of the season, where the hosts were managed by current Stow manager Max Mitchell, and Stow were managed by John Mackie and Terry Spillane. Goals from Demaray Anyadike, Lucas Schreiber and Ben Ward-Cochrane gave Stow a perfect start to their league campaign. In the reverse fixture, the points were shared in a 0-0 draw, which could’ve been a lot different had it not been for Bradley Robinson’s performance in the Stow goal, earning himself MOTM.

Walthamstow and Welwyn’s common people

There have been a fair few players (and managers) to have featured for both sides.

Current players are Elijah Grant, Connor Samson, Teddy Stacey and Reece Mosanya.

Others include Jay Rolfe, George Ironton, Jordan Watson, Tamas Amgbaduba, Alex Harris, Ali Njie, Lewis Todd, Tommy Fletcher, Carl Mensah, Jon Clements, Yemi Adelani, Jason Beck, Jack Green, Matty Campbell, Alex Cathline, Lamar Johnson, Panny Boxer and Ryan Kirwan.

Current Stow manager Max Mitchell has managed and played for both sides. Nicky Ironton has also been in charge of the two clubs, alongside his backroom staff Steve Rolfe and Ricci Crace.