The penultimate game of our tour saw us embarking along the M25 in search of Waltham Abbey's tiny ground 'Cappershots'. With the prospect of a fairly long journey and the need to locate a decent pub to view the Manchester derby after the game, we set off with plenty of time in hand resulting in us arriving at the ground an hour before kick-off. Not a problem we thought, we've been to many a game with time to kill and have always found something to keep us entertained. Not so at Waltham though.
We arrived to find that the ground wasn't actually open yet, and were in fact a little bemused as to where the entrance was. Sure, there was something resembling a turnstile in front of us, but all signs seemed to point to alongside the stadium, with green painted footprints on display for those that cannot read I presume. I followed those footprints step for step only to be lulled into a cul-de-sac and have to embarrasingly retrace my steps to the original entrance.
By now there was something resembling life going on, as at 2.10 a man was opening the turnstile whilst another stapled todays fixture to a board. We were officially the first paying customers to enter the tiny ground that day, and would be eventually followed by a further 67 foolhardy followers. Attendances must be regularly low here as the guy selling tickets wasn't actually sure what the prices were. Eventually I was made to part with £8 and I was in, ready to explore.
With a good 45 minutes to spare there wasn't actually too much to look at. There was no clubshop, no tea bar (ludicrous!), and only one small toilet. There was one stand, about 4 rows deep running about half the length of the pitch, and the rest was standing. A grassy knoll existed in one corner, with a sign telling us we couldn't stand there, and that was about it. In fact, there seemed to be a lot of mis-placed signs here. Along with the misleading entrance, there was a sign for gents and ladies toilets, situated above a small bush. Perhaps that was the place to go but seeing as that bush was on full view of the pitch, I decided that I'd never choose to drop my trousers there, and quickly moved on.
So what else to do in an almost empty stadium with more than 30mins to kick-off? Have a sit down of course. We wandered over to the sole stand, passing a footballer pissing against a fence along the way (as you do), and being less than impressed with the state of the pitch, but amused by the obviously drunken groundsman who had marked out the boundaries. The seating arrangements were also not quite right with numbers and rows definitely not matching up. We sat in row 4. Or row 30, if Waltham Abbey were to have you believe.
Agitated by a few young fans nearby, and increasingly hungry due to the lack of food on offer, we decided to get away from everyone and watch the game from next to the dugouts, the layout of the ground meaning we'd be looking down slightly on the pitch as well. Things had started poorly here, and only a great game would change our mood. The home side were sitting comfortably in mid-table and were taking on the team bottom of the league, who have conceded 78 times this season already so we were expecting goals.
And we were not to be disappointed as the two Waltham's played out a memorable 5-4 thriller. This sort of match is what non-league football is all about. It took just 9 minutes for Abbey to take the lead, as Emmanuel Oesi nipped in from a flick, past a static defence who were waiting for a flag that was never going to come. Sure, already it was all route one stuff from the home side, but it was proving effective against a sluggish back line.
Undeterred, Forest hit back just 2 minutes later. More good work from right midfielder Joel Palmer, who had already started brightly, and an eventual cross from the right and it was tucked home by Midfielder Healy for the equaliser.
Now, despite being level, the away dugout were obviously displeased with the way their defence were playing, and one centre-back 'Joel' seemed to be taking most of the flak. In fairness to Joel his body may have seen better days, and he was certainly finding it difficult to keep up with the pace of the game, but despite being dragged out of position on the odd occasion, he was giving it his all, this point backed up by poking his tongue out in concentration each time play edged his way. But incredibly, after one bit of 'advice'
too far from the sidelines, Joel decided he'd had enough and started walking off the pitch at the exact same time as Abbey were launching another attack. We'd never seen anything like it, especially so early on in the game. Remarkably Forest managed to avert the danger despite having being a centre-back down, but it didn't last.
In fact, just 6 minutes later and now only 30mins into the game the Home team had scored two quick fire goals to move into a commanding 3-1 lead. More calamatous defending, first to concede an needless free-kick, and then moments later a mix up between the back line and their keeper, being all the invitation that was needed.
It very soon got worse for Forest. An attempted swing at the ball in his own area from Palmer, saw the ball spin up his body and strike his arm. With nobody within 5 yards of the player, it seemed a really harsh decision to award a penalty, but by the letter of the law, perhaps the referee was correct, and with 5 minutes until half time it was now 4-1.
Down, but not out, Forest kept going and on the stroke of half time they were back in it, Palmer making amends for his mistake for the 4th goal by tapping in from close range to make it 4-2. All they had to do was see out injury time and re-group for the second half. Not to be though, as Abbey immediately restored their 3 goal margin after a fantastic chest and looping strike on the half-volley from easily 25 yards out. 5-2 at the break. Incredible!
Waltham Forest came out a different side in the second half. Well, a slightly improved side at least. We were a touch surprised to see Joel trotting out after his first half sulk, but he remained focused on the game and helped his team to a second half clean-sheet. In truth it was probably more Abbey who took their foot off the pedal, and they were probably still not too concerned when they conceded a 3rd after 65 minutes, when Zesh Bennet powered through and finished well with the aid of a deflection.
The game seemed to be petering out at 5-3 when with full-time fast approaching there was a tangle in the Abbey box resulting in left-back Daveney (who had look composed all game prior to the incident) lashing out with his boot and catching the Forest striker in the face. It was the Assistant Referee who spotted it and gave the ref no choice but to award a penalty, which was duly dispatched to make it 5-4.
The home bench were livid, none more so than the Darren Ferguson lookalike (sort of) coach, who started inexplicably berating the Assistant on his side, despite him being the furthest possible distance from the incident and having no role in giving the penalty whatsoever. For some reason I decided to side with the officials and get involved, only to be quickly snapped at and told to shut it by Fergie Jnr. Waltham Forest were unable to secure an unlikely 5th, but despite the final whistle the home bench continued to confront the officials at full time as we hastily made for the exit to escape a ground we hope we never have to return to.
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