Tuesday 16 August 2016

The Manor at the Forest: Waltham Forest FC v Eton Manor: Essex Senior League: 17 August 2016

Game number 10 of the season saw me making my first visit of the season to Wadham Lodge, the home of Waltham Forest. However its not my first time seeing Waltham Forest as I saw them in the Extra Preliminary Round of the FA Cup on 6 August when they won at Redbridge.

Tonight was a league game in the Essex Senior League. Before the game Waltham Forest had won all three league games they had played this season and Eaton Manor had won two and lost one of their three games




Wadham Lodge is an interesting venue. It must be one of the best venues at Step 5, certainly in the Essex Senior League and has hosted Rymans League Football before. The ground has covered standing at either end and a main stand that runs 2/3rds of one side. This has several rows of seats. The other side of the ground has the dugouts and in between them a few steps of uncovered terracing.





The ground is situated in a sports complex with 3g pitches and a main clubhouse which is situated immediately outside the ground.

Admission is now £7, a reduction from £8 according to the sign on the turnstiles. I never saw the programmes on sale and never bothered to ask for one. They were in existence as others had them.

There were several ground hoppers at the game. Quite a few were ones I had seen on Monday at Barkingside

After Monday's game kicking off early, tonight we reverted back to  Essex Senior League time and the game kicked off late. It didn't take Waltham Forest long to have the first real effort. This was a shot just over the bar.

The early stages were dominated by Waltham Forest, and it was no surprise when they took the lead after 20 minutes. 

The game was hard fought and always threatened to boil over. Both sides looking for opportunities to square up to each other. Eaton Manor did have a glorious chance to equalise when they were awarded a penalty. A very poorly struck penalty was easily saved.
In the second half it was again Waltham Forest on top. Things then got worse for Eaton Manor when they had a man sent off for  a 2nd yellow card after a foul. From the resulting free kick Waltham Forest scored a second goal.

Strangely enough from this point on Eaton Manor played better than at any stage before. They eventually pulled a goal back and kept taking game to Waltham Forest, but were unable to add to the score.

Right at the death, Waltham Forest missed a gilt edged chance to make it 3-1, but it mattered not as they got all three points anyway.

The good points about tonight's game were:

1. There was no bloody drummer(s)
2. The game was played by players with passion and commitment for the love of the game
3. The game and company were so good, I forgot to check on the Newcastle score until I heard the result on the radio as I left the car park. The night got better then when I learned they had won for the first time this season and by 4-1. Hopefully that kick starts the season.

Tomorrow there is no football for me as I have other commitments. The weekend is hopefully three FA Cup ties in three days for me.




















No comments:

Post a Comment