Local football round-up

LEYTON manager Troy Townsend has brought in former Waltham Forest boss Tony Ievoli as his new right-hand man to help reinvigorate the club’s ailing season.

A run of 11 league games without a win has seen the Lilywhites slip out of contention for a play-off place and plummet to 15th in the Ryman League Division One North table.

However, Ievoli’s arrival last week – just a fortnight after his departure from local rivals Forest – has already started to reap rewards as Leyton battled to an encouraging 0-0 draw with high-flying Concord Rangers at the weekend.

Ievoli, who was removed from his post at Cricklefields after just over two months in the job, has turned over a new leaf with the Lee Valley Road outfit, and Townsend is convinced that his assistant will bring plenty to the table for the team to feast on.

“I’m really glad to have Tony on board. He’s already had an effect on the team and I know that he’s going to have a big influence on the club,” said the delighted manager.

“He’ll bring in his ideas and I’m convinced that we’ll work well together. I think it’s just what the changing room has needed.”

His thoughts were echoed by Ievoli, who is looking forward to starting a new chapter in his career with Leyton.

He said: “I’m disappointed with how everything ended with Waltham Forest after just over two months trying to blood some young players.

“But I’m just looking forward to getting involved and trying to help turn Leyton into a potent force again.

“I know me and Troy have similar styles and I think we can do well.”

Townsend had called for his players to show more desire ahead of Saturday’s game, and they did not disappoint, as they grounded Concord’s attack in a blistering opening period.

Andrew Thomas twice went close as Leyton dominated in the first half, but the visitors found their wings after the interval, dominating much of the possession.

However, it was the hosts who had the best chance to take all three points in the dying minutes, as captain Des Thomas missed his first penalty for the club, sending his effort high over the bar.

Robert Carter and Thomas then got in each other’s way with the goal gaping, and the hosts had to settle for a point.

Leyton take on mid-table outfit Great Wakering Rovers on Saturday in the hope that they can buck their recent trend of dropping points against teams in the league’s lower reaches.

Meanwhile, Ievoli’s successor at Waltham Forest, 27-year-old player-manager Olewali Ojelabi’s honeymoon period in the hot seat entered its second week as the Stags beat relegation rivals Witham Town 1-0 at Cricklefields.

A stunning long-range Mark Ramkin goal five minutes from time and a resolute defensive performance has seen the club move to within a point of Ilford in 19th and safety.

The club will take comfort from their terrific win over table-toppers Aveley two weeks ago as they prepare for another tough away fixture at third-placed Brentwood Town on Saturday.

Elsewhere, Waltham Abbey were made to wait before attempting to steer their promotion bid back on course as their game with Northwood was postponed.

The Abbotts face a tricky test at promotion rivals Concord Rangers on Saturday.