Walthamstow FC 1 Enfield Town 0

Despite a performance lacking cohesion and fluidity, this was — let’s face it — another building block on the road to the start of the season with a number of first-team players again missing for various reasons.

On the plus side, Ruaridh Donaldson made his Town debut at left-back and looked assured on the ball if a little rusty.

And once again Tommy Wood, clearly growing in confidence, looked like he will prove a more than useful asset up front.

The game was officially for the Kaylen Dennis Memorial trophy in honour of  the 17-year-old who was a member of Walthamstow’s under-23 team and tragically collapsed and died during a game last December.

Understandably perhaps, therefore, the hosts were somewhat more motivated but for Town, it was mainly all about trying to get another 90 minutes under their collective belts and coming away injury-free.

In the first half, Town’s best chances were a bullet header from Wood who connected with a Donaldson freekick and was narrowly off target; and a close-range Sam Youngs effort that brought a magnificent reflex stop by the Stow keeper.

But the hosts certainly gave as good as they got, producing a couple of decent chances and showing commendable pace.

Rather than change the entire team at halftime, Gavin Macpherson this time gave the starting eleven until the hour mark before making nine switches.

But it was the hosts who ended up victors, winning  the game on 55 minutes with a spectacular curling freekick from Te Wihongi after what in truth looked a somewhat innocuous foul.

Whilst it was hard to pick out any particular Town individuals for praise, that wasn’t really the point of the exercise though defender Jay Lambert, as he did on a couple of appearances last term, looked a promising prospect in the second half.

Conspicuous by his absence again was Lamar Reynolds as we await his international clearance to come through. Whilst he is eligible to play friendlies, it makes total sense not to risk him getting injured but it’s also hugely frustrating for the management team in terms of their inability to plan properly.

One might imagine Gavin may have been a trifle miffed given the opposition were Step 4 but far from it.

“I asked them to go out on an unbelievably difficult pitch and to look after themselves and go and get a workout,” said Gav. “I don’t mean that with any disrespect to Walthamstow. But it was always going to be devoid of quality. Potters Bar on Saturday will hopefully produce more on the pitch.”

AW