Abbey make it too little and too late

A SINGLE goal was sufficient to separate the sides as Waltham Abbey lost out on their visit to Wivenhoe Town on Saturday.

Wivenhoe's pitch was passed fit despite a heavy downpour and held up surprisingly well as the visitors dominated the first half, but, as on several occasions this season, they could not find that cutting edge.

The second half was more even, but it was Lee Townrow who handed the home side the lead in the 82nd minute with a curling shot past John Hickman.

Waltham Abbey responded well and twice went close, seeing close-range headers tipped over the bar by the Dragons' keeper, but it was too little, too late.

On Tuesday the Abbotts went down 1-0 yet again, as they visited Enfield Town.

Dean Nyman curled the only goal of the game around Hickman, following some excellent work from David Hunt.

Despite the defeats, the Abbotts now lie comfortably 13th in the table, having bucked suggestions that they might struggle in their first season in Ryman Division One.

Last week former Waltham Abbey defender Jordan Bostock rejoined the side and his brother Albert from AFC Hornchurch.

Talking about his return to Capershotts the former Abbey skipper said: "It is great to be back at the club and I'm looking forward to the challenges ahead of trying to make an impact in the team.

"Waltham Abbey have always been close to my heart and with my brother at the club it was an easy decision to come back here.

"In someways it doesn't feel like I've been away, but it is great to be playing Ryman League level football with Waltham Abbey.

"There are a lot of good players here and I believe that we can build on the good start we have made to life at this level."

The Abbotts will be looking to bounce back from their two recent defeats when they entertain a Great Wakering Rovers side that sit fourth from bottom in the table at Capershotts on Saturday. They then have a second home fixture in a week when they play host to another Division One North struggler, Witham Town on Tuesday.