MATCH REPORTS

Mens 1st Team Reports

Ladies 1st Team Reports

MENS MATCH REPORTS

Waltham Forest 5-3 March Town

** Written from the perspective of an enthusiastic (if not very observant) supporter watching from the sidelines, who also may have arrived about 15 minutes into the first half... ** Oh well, all you need to know is that Forest were 1-0 down 15 minutes into this thrilling match. Soon after my arrival, there was a second away goal. A lot of booing from the spectators ensued, along with the odd "Never mind, Al." (Although I'm not sure that's what I heard the Forest boys saying to him!) It seemed as though this was going to be a loooong… sorry, I mean, tough and gruelling game, until Chris Drewe scored a lovely goal. (At least I think it was Chris… it might have been Nico.) Anyway, a Forest goal was scored : and then another in quick succession. Perhaps this one was Nico's goal, although it may very well have been another from Chris Drewe - after all, there were a few of them. Things were back on an even keel at 2-2! Soon into the second half, March Town scored a great goal. (I presume it was. There was a whole lot of whooping and high-fiving between players.) After a bout of running up and down, Forest brought the score back to 3-3 with a smashing goal from Luce. (I apologise if I'm not getting the goal scorers in order, but hey, at least I know who scored!) Now, one thing I do remember was a player from March Town getting sent off to stand in the corner - so I'm thinking there was some kind of quite terrible foul that occurred! Which I'm going to say led to another amazing (not biased at all) Forest goal scored by, um, Chris Drewe. All I can say is that the Forest defence must be pretty incredible (again, no favouritism whatsoever), as the opposition didn't score any more goals for the remainder of the game, even though they had a jolly good go. In the last few-ish minutes of the game, Chris Drewe completed his hat-trick and the final whistle was blown - final score 5-3. Well done boys, let's go to the pub! NB: All or none of the above may be true apart from the final score!

Waltham Forest 1-2 Peterborough

Well this match was set to be a THRILLER. We knew that from the get go we needed to GET ON THE FLOOR and BEAT IT. We tried a slightly left field tactic of the old BREAK OF DAWN start for the distant away team but due to BAD communication many of our own team thought that we were meeting at 1130 rather than pushing back at 1130. Maybe in future when writing the team email Phil will REMEMBER THE TIME. However mistakes are HUMAN NATURE and sometimes there is very little that can be done about them. The match started strongly for the Waltham Warriors and Peterborough were looking like THE LOST CHILDREN. Passing was swift and concise and support for the player on the ball was OFF THE WALL. In the opening period I was regularly hearing the call of YOU ARE NOT ALONE but I guess that what you get when a team is JUST GOOD FRIENDS. The Warriors continued to look DANGEROUS and the D-Fence looked UNBREAKABLE. The Warrior keeper was notably INVINCIBLE under the high ball and the umpires association later confirmed that any ball in the air is seen as fair game. The decision is BLACK OR WHITE. It was only a matter of time before Nico and Phil were able to COME TOGETHER and THIS TIME AROUND it paid off. Nico made the perfect J run and was able to KEEP THE FAITH. He didn't need to wonder WILL YOU BE THERE as he played the ball to Phil who like a SMOOTH CRIMINAL delayed delay and delayed again teasing the keeper before delivering the 2000 WATTS strike right on the MONEY. The Keeper got a hand to it but it proved to be a HEARTBREAKER as it rattled to backboard. Turns out Luce was in the wrong place and nearly ruined the whole move. The chances continued to come as the Waltham Warriors THREATENED but WHATEVER HAPPENS games are won and lost on converted chances. Kristis came closest for the Warriors when he moved into the D like there was BLOOD ON THE DANCE FLOOR. Flip reversed it and was unlucky to spaff it wide. Anther notable chance came when Luce the SPEED DEMON was half a step to slow/out of position on the back post. Unfortunately it went downhill from there. A DIRTY DIANA of a short corner went against us and although the Warriors keeper (me) pulled off a great first save, Peterborough proved that you DON'T STOP TIL' YOU GET ENOUGH and scored on the third bite of the cherry. The Warrior's found themselves in a JAM and were SPEECHLESS when on the stroke of half time the slowest of shots crept in because Al had GONE TO SOON. Al spun round to the back post thinking to his defenders WILL YOU BE THERE. Sadly the answer was no! 2-1. The secondly half was largely uneventful and proved to be GONE TOO SOON which was 2BAD. Waltham Warriors had a huge chance through Chris "the reverse stick" Drewe near the death of the game but the keeper moved like a STREET WALKER. IS IT SCARY how slow he shot the ball? I think the answer is yes. The Warriors lost so HEAVEN CAN WAIT hopefully next week will end with a SMILE but first we all need to take a long hard look at the MAN IN THE MIRROR. Post match we went to the Dog and Duck. Upon arrival we found Luce stood at the bar with a PRETTY YOUNG THING. Luce was making it very clear that the GIRL IS MINE maybe even a GIRLFRIEND, the LADY IN MY LIFE. We heard him saying comments like, I JUST CANT STOP LOVING YOU and YOU ARE MY LIFE. Then with no prior warning the girl turned into a werewolf and tried to eat Luce shoulder first… Maybe in future Luce will be more SCARED OF THE MOON. Another notable event of the evening was Seb dying. His last words were WE ARE HERE TO CHANGE THE WORLD! RIP SEB BENNETT

Waltham Forest men 6-2 Pelicans

Waltham Forest welcomed the bottom of the league team to the Academy for an exciting game of hockey. The match started with Forest maintaining most of the possession and moving the ball around the back utilising their experienced defenders. Forest wasted no time in scoring the first goal with an unfit Chris Drew pushing the ball into the goal which just about touched the backboard. Forest continued the pressure on the visiting side and were awarded a penalty stroke with good work coming from Matt Tanswell and Luciano Da Silva. Nico Kurt easily scored the goal with the keeper not having a chance. Forest scored a third goal before the half with well worked passing by the forwards resulting in Matt Tanswellgetting his first for the day. The second half started with Forest on the back foot with the visiting side scoring an early goal through a short corner. Forest didn't give up and an outstanding ball from Da Silva on the right found Drew who again easily scored another goal. Pelican's continued to fight back and a outrageous goal by Da Silva made it 5-1 to the home side. Forest quickly scored their 6th goal with quick thinking by Malique who dispatched it past the keeper. Pelican's scored a consolation goal making the final score 6-2.

Waltham Forest men 0-1 Cambridge

Forest travelled to Cambridge for a top table clash. The first 20 minutes saw Forest under an immense amount of pressure from the home side. The defence was being worked hard and looked to be withstanding the pressure well. Forest's first chance of the game came from some great passing down the right with Da Silva passing to an open Bennett who was denied a goal by the upright. The home side quickly took advantage by scoring a goal off a rebound from a short corner. Forest went into the second half a goal down. Cambridge seemed to be under pressure with two of their players being sent off already with yellow cards. With several missed short corners Forest were not on form and in the dying minute they were again denied a goal when Da Silva cracked a thunderbolt which rattled the crossbar. This was not to be Forest's day and the game ended with the home team winning 1-0.

Waltham Forest men 4-1 Broxbourne

Waltham Forest 1s travelled to Broxbourne looking to get their first away win of the season. Forest started brightly, but the Broxbourne 'keeper was in world class form, repelling a number of good Forest chances. Forest finally made the breakthrough when "Prick of the Pitch" Drewe finished off a neat dribble in the D with a diving finish between the Broxbourne 'keepers legs. Forest doubled their advantage when Drewe found da Silva in space and da Silva topped the ball into the goal. At the start of the second half, Broxbourne pulled a goal back when a deflected ball ballooned into the Forrest D and was volleyed by the Broxbourne forward past the cowering Jenkins in goal. Despite the best efforts of Brown and Tanswell to persuade the umpire, the goal stood. Forest increased their advantage when neat work by "Mat" Terris on the right set Drewe onto a 1 on 1 with the Broxbourne keeper. Drewe showed his class and squared the ball for Arshad to pass into an open net. Forest soon added their fourth when Brown struck a hopeful shot from the top of the D (after yet another failed short corner from Peacock) which the Broxbourne 'keeper missjudged due to the lack of pace on the shot, and the ball crept under his dive. Forest had further chances to complete a rout, including a mazy dribble by Drewe which left the Broxbourne upright and 'keeper shaking, but were unable to add to their tally. The score finished 3-1. After the game, man of the match Drewe was fined for his biased match report.

Waltham Forest men 2-2 Upminster

Forest travelled to Upminster looking to cement their place at the top of the league. Before even the warm up, Forest suffered some bad luck when 'keeper Jenkins was injured in the warm up. Jenkins manned up and taped up and played on. What he did not want was to be called into action early on. Unfortunately, a combination of a good start from Upminster and some uncharacteristically sloppy defending from Forest resulted in Forest finding themselves 2-0 down after 10 minutes. Forest pulled one back through Matt Tanswell. They then drew level with their first short corner of the game which was worked neatly to Nico Kurt who scored with a shot in off the bar. Forest had chances to win with both Da Silva and Drewe coming close. The Forest defence also withstood Upminster pressure, in part down to heroic defending from Josh "the boy" Roy. The game ended with honours even.

Waltham Forest men 2-0 Beford

Forest maintained their 100% home record with a convincing win against Bedford. Forest could have scored significantly more, but finished the game 2-0 winners after goals from coach Mal and a lucky goal from Da Silva. The Forest defence, bolstered by the addition of new recruit Mike Spice, had a convincing game and kept only the second Forest clean sheet in two seasons.

LADIES MATCH REPORTS

3rd in the Indoor Tournament

Waltham Forest travelled to Cambridge to compete in the East Regional Qualifying Premier Division. This is the first year they have had a Premier division and Forest were a little aprehensive as they were the lowest ranked outdoor side there. However they should not have been worried in the slightest as Forest played some stunning indoor hockey to give themselves a shot at promotion to the National league for the first time in their history. Saturday started well with a good victory over Dereham, Liz Evans, Gill Fraser and new indoor recruit Charlotte Pether scoring in a 3-2 victory. This was followed up by beating current pace setters in the East Premier division Bromley and Beckenham 3-2, with the winning goal coming in the last minute of the game. Katherine Abbie, Emma Roscoe and Gill Fraser on target. Forest were even able to miss a penalty stroke in the game but were deserved winners. The last game saw them play Cambridge City who had been relegated from the National league last year and were keen to go back up this year. Forest had other ideas and twice having taken the lead through two goals from Charlotte Pether and one from Liz Evans, eventually had to settle for a 3-3 draw. Forest had more than enough chances to win the game and Charlotte Pether spurned two penalty strokes which would have seen Forest take a deserved 3 points. The second day was the promotion day and having taken a point through Forest needed to beat Holcombe to gain second spot in the group and promotion to the National league. In a tightly contested game, Forest lost 4-2. Katherine Abbie from the penalty spot and Mandy Briggs following up a short corner. In truth Forest had chances to win the game and can count themselves unfortuante not to have got more from the game. The last game of the day was against Maidstone a National league side outdoors and relegated from National league indoors last season. Madistone had already won the title but had their hardest game of the day against Forest. Maidstone winning 5-2 with goals from Liz Evans and Charlotte Pether. The game was again a lot closer and Katherine Abbie will feel aggrevied not to have got on the score sheet when she saw a penalty stroke come back off the post having sent the keeper the wrong way. Waltham Forest finish 3rd overall and can feel very proud of their achievement and are looking forward to next year when we can have a really crack at trying to get promoted. Team - Morag Campbell, Jenny Whibley, Sam Fish, Hannah Franzki, Lydia Booth, Gill Fraser, Liz Evans, Mandy Briggs, Charlotte Pether, Emma Roscoe, Katherine Abbie.

Waltham Forest ladies 1-2 Wapping

Forest coming in to the game off the back of beating local rivals Old Loughtonians, were in confident mood that they could get something from this game. The game started with a flurry at both ends, but then the pattern was set with Wapping controlling the ball and Forest on the back foot. For all of Wapping's possession they didn't really trouble the scoreline and with the defence staying solid the only way that Wapping looked like scoring was from a short corner. Sam Fish pulling one of the line in the first half but other than that the game seemed to be heading for a goaless first half. That was till Liz Evans quick thinking, took a quick free hit to herself drove into the area and fired over the keeper who had gone down early. Forest were ahead 1-0 going into the break. The second half was much the same with more backs to the wall stuff and with the Forest forwards working hard to win the ball back there was little forward momentum from Forest. Morag Campbell pulled off a fantastic save low to her right and this looked like it had earned Forest a valuable three points. However just when it looked like Forest would take the points, Wapping snatched an equalisier. It was a moments lapse of concentration. With 2 mins to go Wapping hit a short corner which took two deflections and squeezed past Campbells right post to take all three points. Forest deserved something out of the game but will have to redouble their efforts for two weeks time when they take on Letchworth.

Waltham Forest ladies 1-4 Watton (Trophy)

Forest travelled deep into Norfolk to play Watton who are in the North side of the same division. Forest with only eleven players started the game on the back foot and conceded an early goal when the Watton forward waltzed into the area and slotted home past Morag Campbell in the Forest goal. This set back seemed to galvanise the side and when Katherine Abbie forced a short corner, a good routine saw Mandy Briggs shoot and Liz Evans touch the ball in to bring the scores level. Watton moved the ball quickly and caused Forest problems with their pace down the right hand side. Just when Forest looked to have weathered the storm, they gave away a short corner that was neatly deflected in and then Watton quickly added a third shortly afterwards with another deflected effort to go in to half time 3-1 up. The second half started with some sloppy play from Forest and this lead to Watton's fourth. Forest heads could have dropped at this point, but instead they rallied and driven forward by player of the match Mandy Briggs, Waltham Forest looked for the goal that would get them back in the game. The movement of the forwards was excellent with Hannah Dobbin going close and when Liz Evans had another short corner cleared off the line, it looked like it was going to be one of those days. An entertaining game but ultimately Waltham Forest bow out of the HA Trophy for this year.

Waltham Forest ladies 2-1 Old Loughts

Local derbies are always tough matches, so for Forest to come away with a win and stop the recent run of bad form was excellent. The first half started and with barely 2mins on the clock, Forest forced a corner which was converted by ex-Loughtonian player Liz Evans. Forest took the initiative and dominated the midfield area, with Emma Roscoe and Anna-Marie Perry snapping into challenges that became the platform in the first half for their dominance. Forest piled on more pressure and this pressure eventually told when Gill Fraser jinked her way into the area and Hannah Dobbin with her first goal was at the back post to touch the ball over the line. Forest didn't have it all their own way and Morag Campbell had to make a couple of good saves to keep Old Loughtonians at bay. The second half started in stark contrast to the first and within a minute Loughtonians had scored, the Forest defence switching off and allowing the Loughtonians forward to sweep the ball over the on rushing keeper. A few nerve moments followed before Forest resumed control and started to dictate the tempo of the game. Katherine Abbie went close and Hannah Dobbin also almost added to her tally. With the game drawing to a conclusion and Loughtonians becoming more frantic, the Forest defence marshalled by Sam Fish and Jenny Whibley held firm and a well deserved three points were earned.

Waltham Forest ladies 3-5 Bishops Stortford

In a frustrating afternoon, this was a game of two halves. The first half Waltham Forest never got going and found themselves quickly two goals behind. A well worked short corner routine and then some ponderous defending let the Stortford attacker tap in for a second. Forest had their chances but failed to really test the Stortford keeper. The second half started much brighter with Forest retaining possession much more and causing the Stortford defence more problems. Liz Evans then went on one of her mazy runs and finished low and hard into the bottom corner to give Forest a life line. This was then followed up by a great short corner that was deflected in by Sarah Nixon to bring the scores level. From then on the game was stretched and both sides had chances. Stortford took the lead to make it 3-2, but moments with Stortford reduced to 10 players after a late tackle produced a sin bin, Forest scored the goal of the game with a flowing move that involved most of the team ended with Gill Fraser putting the ball on a plate for Katherine Abbie to convert from close range to make it 3-3. Forest unfortunately could not hold on as Stortford forced another short corner and scored almost immediately to make if 4-3 and with the final whistle blown, Stortford added a fifth with a well worked short corner. Forest travel to local rivals Old Loughtonians on Saturday needing a win to get their season back on track.

Waltham Forest ladies 1-3 Sevenoaks

A disappointing afternoon for Forest ended with them a 3-1 loss away from home to Sevenoaks. Sevenoaks started the game brightly and in the opening exchanges forced a short corner which from the scramble on the line became a penalty stroke. The stroke was expertly saved by Morag Campbell in the Forest goal. The warning was not taken and Forest shortly found themselves a goal down. Forest got steadily better, but were still being beaten to the ball and when Sevenoaks were awarded another short corner it was deflected in at the far post to make it 2-0. Their was still time for Forest to fashion a chance of their own with Katherine Abbie failing to convert from open play after good work from Hannah Dobbin. The second half started much brighter with Forest dictating the flow and pace of the game. Emma Roscoe and Mandy Briggs in midfield providing the energy to push the team forward and when Emma Roscoe won a clever short corner it was dispatched by Gill Fraser from the top of the area to make the score 2-1. Forest went in search of the equaliser and thought they had it when a Katherine Abbie deflection was somehow stopped from point blank. This was to be the turning point as Sevenoaks swept up the field and found the overlap and converted the chance to make the score 3-1. Forests next game is at home at 2.30pm to Bishop Stortford.

Waltham Forest ladies 2-2 Chelmsford 3s

In a frustrating encounter Waltham Forest gained a point, but will feel it was two points dropped rather than one point gained. Forest started the game brightly, pushing Chelmsford back and pressing them in their own half. A string of saves from the Chelmsford keeper denied Forest from taking an early lead until Gill Fraser stepped up to score her first goal of the season, by calmly striking the ball past the keepers left. The right hand side of Gill Fraser and Hannah Dobbin was causing Chelmsford problems and with the overlapping runs of Lydia Booth from full back it was only a matter of time before Forest scored again. However it was not to be, with 5mins remaining of the first half, Forest switched off and Chelmsford pounced gaining a short corner. They levelled from the short corner which was well struck but aided by a deflection from Gill Fraser. There was still time for Katherine Abbie to be denied a penalty stroke when going around the keeper, however the umpire played advantage and the opportunity was lost. The second half started and almost immediately Chelmsford broke into the Forest area, the danger seemed to have gone when Sam Fish deflected a goal bound shot which some however squeezed into the far corner. Forest looked a bit shell shocked and only moments later Morag Campbell pulled off a fine low save to her right to deny Chelmsford going further ahead. Forest upped the tempo and a flowing move down the right brought them level. Susie Hunt at full pace carried the ball down the right and squared for Sarah Nixon to slot home first time to draw the teams level. Forest had a late panic when Sam Fish was harshly sin binned for a stick tackle, but Forest held out. Forest go to Sevenoaks next week knowing a win is vital to keep pace with the top of the table.

Waltham Forest ladies 1-1 Havering (EHB TROPHY) Forest win 3-1 on strokes

In a tight encounter, Forest came out on top on penalty strokes. In a tight first half, Forest had the upper hand and but for a goal being disallowed would have gone into the half one goal up. The second half started with Forest dominating possession but with the final pass just not reaching its destination. The deadlock was broken when Katherine Abbie and Liz Evans combined neatly on the 25 yard line, Liz drove in to the area and fired low into the bottom corner. This looked like being enough, but with 10 mins to go after a series of penalty corners were given, Havering scored with a strike low into the bottom left hand corner. The game petered out and couldn't be settled in extra time and so it went to penalty strokes. Sarah Nixon stepped up and coolly slotted the first penalty home low to the keepers right, Morag then pulled off a routine save to put Forest 1-0 up in the shoot out. Liz Evans then passed the ball past the keepers left hand and when Morag Campbell pulled off a great second save, Forest were almost there. A third save from Morag, left it to Susie hunt to convert the winning flick and Forest progress to round two of the HA Trophy.

Waltham Forest ladies 1-1 Upminster

In a one sided encounter, Waltham Forest some how managed to sneak a point. With both teams having played each other a number of times over the last few months and having played out a 0-0 draw only 6 weeks ago in the league, this should have been another tight encounter. However this was not the case with Upminster dominating from the very start of the game. It was with credit to the Forest defenders and Morag Campbell that Forest went in at half time only 1-0 down, after a barrage of attacks, it was eventually a deflected short corner that finally was the undoing. The second half started in much the same way the first had started with Jenny Whibley and Sam Fish marshalling the defence and Morag Campbell having a game to remember. Forest did at least start to create chances, but the final pass often just alluding them. The game having slipped away, Forest forced a short corner in the dying minute of the game. Katherine Abbie fired the ball at goal for it to be stopped on the line. The goal keeper then dived on the ball to stop the on running Forest player from knocking the ball in and a penalty stroke was awarded. Katherine Abbie coolly slotted it home and Forest had gained an unlikely point.

Waltham Forest ladies 4-1 vs Crostyx

Waltham Forest Ladies capped an impressive performance away at local rivals Crostyx with a resounding 4-1 win taking them to 5th in the league. The game started brightly with Forest controlling the tempo and creating chances. It was some surprise that with Crostyx's first real attack they forced a short corner and dispatched a straight strike that was unstoppable into the bottom left hand corner. Rather than heads dropping this spurred Forest forward and forced a short corner of their own. Liz Evans pulled the ball out of the keeper's reach and flicked high into the night to level the score. The second came shortly after when Forest gained another short corner, which was cleared to Mandy Briggs on the right hand side of the area, she jinked inside her player and cooly passed the ball on to the penalty spot for Liz Evans to tuck into the corner of the goal for her and Forest's second. The second half continued with Forest dominating the middle of the pitch and dictating the flow of the game. The third came from good work down the right by Hannah Dobbin who squeezed the ball through to Susie Hunt who calmly finished from close range. The fourth followed moments later involving Anna-Marie Perry and Hannah Dobbin, with the ball again falling to Susie Hunt who reverse flicked the ball into the net from a tight angle to make it four. By now the midfield marshalled by Emma Roscoe, Mandy Briggs, Liz Evans and Anna-Marie Perry were controlling the game and but for some last ditch defending and good goal keeping the score could have been more. Forest have Bromley and Beckenham at home at 2.30pm next Saturday, which will test the side and show if they are ready for promotion.

Waltham Forest ladies 3-0 vs Broxbourne

Waltham Forest suffered their first loss of the season losing 3-0 at home to Broxbourne. Although the scoreline doesn't tell the whole story Broxbourne ran out deserved winners as Forest never got going. In a stuttering first half performance, Forest conceded within the first 10mins when a number of mistakes defensively allowed the Broxbourne forward a tap in from close range. Forest started to find their feet as the half went on and Katherine Abbie was unlucky to hit the post with a first time shot after good work from captain Gill Fraser. The second half started with Forest in control, but could not find the breakthrough with chances at a premium with about 15mins to go and Forest pushing for an equaliser Broxbourne counter attacked and finished the game with a flowing move. There was still time for a comeback but when Liz Evans struck the post with a reverse stick hit it wasn't going to be Forest's day. The final nail in the coffin was provided with 5mins to go when Broxbourne added a third. A disappointing performance and Waltham Forest will want to put things right next week against local rivals Crostyx.

Waltham Forest ladies 3 - 1 Havering

Sport is often described as a tale of two halves and this encounter epitomised this. Played in ridiculous hot conditions, Forest gained their first win of the season but not without plenty of drama. The game started slowly with both teams worrying about the heat, and although Forest did create a number of good chances they were unable to break the deadlock. The visitors side went behind to a short corner goal slightly against the run of play. This seem to deflate the team and Havering got into the ascendency putting the Forest back line under pressure. Forest tried to play their way out of trouble with three of the back line our normal midfield with Anna-Marie Perry and Emma Roscoe working hard to shore up the wings. The pressure that Havering had piled on eventually told and Sam Fish put her body on the line to concede a penalty stroke. The Havering striker put the ball low and hard to Morag Campbell's right. Morag looked to have it covered and relief was felt as the ball cannoned off the post. The second half started with Forest getting to the ball first and man of the match Lizzie Evans, started to find her feet in her first start since joining the club. It was her pass that sent Katherine Abbie away and with the keeper to beat she coolly ran around her and slotted it home. Forest had the momentum and pushed on. Evans provided another killer pass and from the resulting corner, Susie Hunt was there to touch in at the far post. The final goal came 5 mins later with Evans crowning off an excellent second half performance with a well taken sweep into the goal from another short corner. There was no way back for Havering and this win takes Forest up to fourth in the table. At this early stage in the season the signs are promising for this new look team.

Waltham Forest ladies 2-2 Letchworth

Waltham Forest will be the unhappier of the two teams after getting pegged back by Letchworth from being 2-0 up and having to share the points. The opening half of the match was dominated by Forest who created a number of chances but failed to convert them into goals. Just when it looked like Forest would go into the break all square, the deadlock was broken. The goal came from a short corner on the whistle of half time and with everyone up, Sam Fish squeezed the ball towards the corner of the goal for debutant Maria Campadello to get the final touch and force it over the line. The second half started much like the first ended with Forest dominating possession but squandering chances. Elizabeth Evans was introduced into the game and duly won the short corner that lead to the second goal. The goal was touched in by Susie Hunt after the impressive Sarah Nixon had fired a shot from the left hand side of the area. The game was seemingly heading for Waltham Forest's first win of the season, when with 10mins to go Letchworth fashioned an equaliser out of nothing. Letchworth had gained the momentum and despite the defence's best efforts Forest conceded again with 2mins to go. Morag Campbell made a great initial save but could not keep out the follow up effort that trickled over the line. Forest were disappointed with the point and will be looking to gain their first win of the season away at Havering next weekend.

Waltham Forest ladies 0-0 Upminster

Waltham Forest open the season with a hard fought point at home. In what was a tight encounter between two evenly matched teams there was nothing to separate both teams at the end of the game. Forest started the game brightly with Emma Roscoe, Anna-Marie Perry and Mandy Briggs controlling the midfield. Small margins win games and when debutant Sam Fish struck a short corner against the left post only for the ball to bounce out, the luck maybe was not with them. Forest kept pushing forward in the second half and with Susie Hunt, Claire Hughes, Gill Fraser and another debutant Hannah Dobbin probing, more chances were created but spurned. Upminster continued to offer a threat on the break and only the interventions of Jenny Whibley and Morag Campbell in the goal denied Upminster taking the lead. The final chance of the game fell with 5 mins to go when Anna-Marie Perry made a lung busting run into the box to pick the loose ball on to fire a foot wide of the top right hand corner. Special mention should go to Lydia Booth and Emily Mulville who excelled at full back with Emily Mulville catching the eye and picking up the player of the match award. Forest will be looking for their first win next Saturday when they play at home to Letchworth at 11.30am.

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