A wet afternoon at the TECHSOC.COM Stadium provided the backdrop for a lively local derby as the Motormen hosted Walthamstow, with the home side chasing a fourth consecutive victory against opponents they had already beaten 4–0 away earlier in the season.

The Motormen started brightly and created the first chance of the match when Hanson-Ramis Hayrettin fired in a dangerous cross-cum-shot that drifted just wide of the far post. Their early pressure was rewarded on 13 minutes when Napa picked up the ball, cut inside his marker and fired a low shot into the bottom corner to give the hosts a deserved lead.

Walthamstow responded with increased urgency. Their number 10 tested Nwabuko with a shot comfortably held, while a deflected effort from number 11 forced the Motormen keeper into action again, tipping the ball behind for the visitors’ first corner. From the resulting set piece, a free header was somehow sent wide.

The home side continued to look dangerous on the break, with Napa central to much of their good work. He released Hanson-Hayrettin again, whose powerful effort was well saved by Hughes. At the other end, Walthamstow enjoyed a spell of pressure, with Nwabuko palming away a fierce shot and later turning another effort around the post as the visitors searched for an equaliser.

The second half burst into life almost immediately. The Motormen doubled their lead early on when Pedro was given time and space out wide, picked his spot and placed a lovely finish into the far corner to make it 2–0.

However, the response from Walthamstow was instant. Charlie Heatley squared the ball across goal for Garzon to tap home, pulling it back to
2–1. Moments later, a corner was headed home by Keano Robinson to level the scores.

The turnaround was completed when Heatley himself struck from outside the box, beating Nwabuko with a fine finish into the far corner to give Walthamstow a 3–2 lead.

The Motormen pushed hard for an equaliser. Esuka went close with a long-range effort that drifted narrowly wide with the keeper off his line, before another powerful shot from Esuka was deflected behind for a corner after good work from Sikiru. Despite sustained late pressure, Walthamstow’s defence stood firm.

In the end, a stubborn rearguard display saw Walthamstow hold on to complete an impressive comeback and take all three points from a dramatic local derby.

report by Adam Silver