Post by Macmoish on Apr 13, 2011 16:46:11 GMT
Abbey could send Stags down (From East London and West Essex Guardian Series)
Abbey could send Stags down
5:07pm Wednesday 13th April 2011
WALTHAM Forest's Ryman One North fate could be sealed by rivals Waltham Abbey this week, as the pair prepare to clash at Capershotts.
The Stags occupy the one remaining relegation spot – after Leyton's removal from the league – and are six points behind second-bottom Ilford.
There are just four games to play this season, and defeat at Abbey, coupled with victory for Ilford at home to Grays, will leave Forest with a virtually impossible task to escape. A gap of nine points could technically still be bridged, but a vastly inferior goal difference would also work against Wali Ojalabi's side.
For that reason, victory over the mid-table Abbotts is imperative on Saturday.
Forest kept their slim hopes of survival alive with a last-gasp draw at AFC Sudbury last week.
The visitors clawed their way back from two goals down and struck in the final minute of the game to snatch a point, the match ending 3-3.
New signing Richard Shittu – brother of QPR defender Danny – had put the Stags ahead on 32 minutes with his first goal for the club.
But by the time the half-time whistle was blown Forest found themselves two down after a quick turnaround for the hosts.
Joshua Bonnett gave the away side hope on 53 minutes by pulling one back, and the team's valiant efforts were finally rewarded in the last minute when Robert Carter found the net.
Ilford dealt Forest a body blow by defeating play-off-chasing Potters Bar Town 1-0.
Abbey, meanwhile, go into the weekend's game with nothing to lose, sitting in the comfort of mid-table.
They recorded a 2-1 victory over Great Wakering Rovers, leaving it late to complete the comeback after conceding a 13th-minute goal to Toran Senghore.
Tyler Campbell bagged two goals in the last ten minutes to ensure the hosts took maximum points.
www.guardian-series.co.uk/sport/8972114.Derby_clash_could_seal_Forest_s_fate/
