AFC Hornchurch 1 – 0 Wealdstone
AFC Hornchurch
1 - 0
WealdstoneSpeaking after Tuesday nights (7 October) narrow 0-1 defeat away to AFC Hornchurch, Wealdstone FC Manager Gordon Bartlett was in a much more upbeat frame of mind: ‘I am disappointed with the result but much more pleased with the performance. I thought that we showed a much improved application throughout the match, passed the ball better and created far more. The previous two games (Harlow and Tooting) we were very poor but the players knew that they had performed far better on Tuesday night and they are not down hearted and spirits were good even though we knew we should have got something out of the game. It was much better’
Bartlett introduced some changes to the side on Tuesday , the most significant being the acquisition of 19 year old striker Gavin James from Maidenhead United of the Blue Square South. James comes in on a one month initial loan deal that could possibly be extended; the tall former Wycombe Wanderers youth player did well at Harlow and showed plenty of much needed pace up front.
Also back in the starting line up on Tuesday was Graeme Montgomery and the recently recalled and refreshed looking Chris O’Leary came in for midfielder David Hicks.
As for the game itself, Stones had several chances to break through and more than matched their hosts for long periods, retaining the ball better and showing more incisiveness. After a scoreless first half, Stones were unfortunate to concede after 56 when the Urchins Dean Green managed to get to a ball that was deflected just in via Alan Massey.
Stones still had chances to level the scores – the best when Ben Alexander hit the post after Montgomery had a great strike from 10 yards that struck a defender on line and away to safety.
Wealdstone face an in form Carshalton side on Saturday at The Vale (11 October, 3pm ko) that includes former Stones hot shot Richard Jolly. Further new signings are also a possibility.
Steve Foster pics HERE