Woodford Town 0-4 Stow
Stow took another massive step towards the ESL title with a resounding 4-0 victory away to Woodford Town.
It was a bit of a slow start from Stow, and they almost found themslves a goal down after just two minutes. The ball found its way through to Samir Ali, but his one-on-one effort was too close to Richard Hayward and the Stow keeper saved well.
The game took a while to get going too, but Hayward was again called into action, saving well from a tight angle when Ali was in again. But this triggered Stow into action, and they began to get into the game with Harrison Carnegie lively down the left, and Callum Ibe and Charlie Cole up front always looking a threat.
On the stroke of half time, Stow made the most of their positive play, with a superb solo goal from Tendai Quamina. The youngster broke on the edge of his own area, took the ball past three players, cut inside and found the far corner of the net via a deflection off a Woodford defender.
Woodford may have been expected to come out for the second half with the same speed they started the first, but Stow quickly got on the front foot, and 12 minutes played they doubled their advantage. Carnegie’s free kick wasn’t dealt with by the Woodford keeper, and Tommy Fletcher was in the right place at the back post to lash the ball home.
Midway through the half two became three when Callum Ibe fired home, getting on the end of Carnegie’s cross, but the goal was all about Michael Osei who beat three players in midfield, then played the ball out to Carnegie as he was about to get body checked by a fourth.
And to complete a confident victory, Quamina got on the end of a perfect pass from Ryan Wade to roll the ball home for his second of the game.
There was still time for Woodford to threaten, and Hayward had to be alert at the back post to stop a goal-bound effort after a corner had evaded ever
Stow now host Southend Manor on Saturday, whose recent good form shows will be no pushovers.
Match highlights
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6BXvUB6apsI
