Wembley 3-1 Waltham Forest

Despite a battling performance, a weakened Waltham Forest XI went down 3-1 to Wembley.

Joel Palmer was named as captain as several changes were made from the side that drew 2-2 with Barkingside.

Forest only really forced two chances of note in the first half, the first causing the home ‘keeper to pull off a good save, and the second hitting the post from an acute angle.

At half time, the Forest side became even more experimental, as manager Wale Ojelabi ringed the changes, taking a look at some trialists.

The changes showed straight away, but for the wrong reasons. With only a few second half minutes played, a defensive mix-up between goalkeeper and defender allowed the Wembley forward to poke the ball into the empty net.

Conceding spurred Forest on, and they dominated the play for the opening 20 minutes of the first half.

Joel Palmer forced a good low save from the Wembley ‘keeper after being put though by the lively Ryan Imbert.

The mistakes in Forest’s play then became more frequent. A weak free-kick was given away on the edge of the area, which the Wembley 16 finished with a pile driver of a hit.Josh Bonnett was then brought on for his first pre-season appearance, and his pace and trickery began to menace the home defence. It did not take long before his presence was fully felt, as he put trialist Billy Melton through who was able to fire in a low shot, beating the ‘keeper at the front post.

Wembley’s third goal came after another mistake, this time the Forest ‘keeper was guilty of fumbling a tame shot into his own goal.

Forest had the last chance of the match, when Josh Bonnett again put Billy Melton through, but the lanky striker could only lift the ball over the goal when through.

Forest now travel to Hillingdon Borough on Saturday. Kick-off is 3 PM and the match will be played on the 3G pitch at Hillingdon’s Middlesex Stadium.

{artsexylightbox flickrApiKey=”dd35b3dcbd8662e2b194193bea338d80″ flickrNumberOfImages=”14″ flickr=”44178210@N05″ flickrImageSize=”o” flickrSet=”72157627291806924″}{/artsexylightbox}