🎞️ Waltham Forest Borough FC 🔵♈️🔴 Ryan FC - Essex Alliance Fenton Cup QF [Fri23Jan26] HIGHLIGHTS

Описание: Match Report: Waltham Forest Borough FC v Ryan FC - Fenton Cup Quarter-Final.
In a pulsating and feisty Essex Alliance Fenton Cup quarter-final at Parsloes Park Hub on Friday, 23 January 2026, Waltham Forest Borough FC (the Peacocks) hosted Ryan FC in a tie that lived up to its billing as a gritty Step 7 clash. With just 27 spectators and one loyal dog in attendance, the floodlit 3G pitch became the stage for drama, comebacks, controversy, and ultimately, penalty heartbreak. Here's how the action unfolded in a match that saw tensions boil over and a late disallowed goal force the game into spot-kicks.
Ryan FC, sitting lower in the league standings but hungry for cup progression, started brightly and seized control early. Fast off the block they pressed early disrupting Waltham Forest's leading to the opening goal on the 2 minute mark. A swift shot from outside the box flew past the Peacock's goalkeeper, giving Ryan a 1-0 lead. The goal set the tone for a combative first period, with several challenges drawing warnings from the referee. Waltham Forest struggled to respond and just before the break, Ryan doubled their advantage. A corner few unchallenged to the back post where the ball was guided in. At 2-0, Ryan looked comfortable, but the feisty nature of the tie was yet to fully materialise. The Peacocks emerged revitalised after the break. Managerial tweaks appeared to pay off as Waltham Forest began creating more chances. Their fightback ignited on 67 when a long ball into Ryan’s box was bundled in capitalising on a defensive lapse, halving the deficit to 2-1. In the second minute of added time the same scorer once again got on the end of a high ball in the area and slotted home past the keeper and a desperate attempt from a defender to keep the ball out.
Three minutes later with the tie looking to go to penalties Ryan won a free kick and the ball was pumped into the box which was headed home to the exstatic delight of the visitors who looked to have sealed a semi-final visit to Chadwell Heath Spartans. With celebrations in full flow a full scale scuffle ensued which took several minutes for the officials to disperse and many red cards issued.
From the crowds point of view confusion then reigned as to whether the referee blew the final whistle for an abandonment or to seal Ryan’s place in the Semi finals. It turned out to be neither as it became clear from those in the crowd that Ryan’s goal was ruled out for off-side and the teams then lined up in the centre circle to take kicks from the penalty mark.
The first 10 penalties were despatched albeit with one retake with the Ryan keeper being adjudged to have been off his line. In sudden death Waltham Forest Borough despatched their 6th penalty with Ryan’s next effort well saved propelling the peacocks into the last four of the Fenton Cup.
This was non-league football at its rawest with passion, controversy, and bouncebackability. For Ryan, the late disallowed goal will sting, but their performance against higher-placed opposition was commendable. This tie on a chilly January evening delivered everything but a straightforward winner and on another day if luck would have been on their side at the end of the game Ryan would have seen themselves through.

🎞️ Waltham Forest Borough FC 🔵♈️🔴 Ryan FC - Essex Alliance Fenton Cup QF [Fri23Jan26] HIGHLIGHTS