Wealdstone 5 – 2 Metropolitan Police
Wealdstone2R
5 - 2
Metropolitan PoliceThe intrepid Wealdstone faithful that braved the freezing elements at The Vale on Tuesday evening were rewarded with a hugely entertaining and hard fought Isthmian League Cup 2ND Round encounter.
This was not only an encouraging performance and emphatic win over a strong Met Police side currently sitting in second position in Ryman Division One South, but an opportunity for several of Stones young reserves to impress- and that they did. New signing from Leyton Greg Ngoyi looked sharp and full of confidence and scored a brace. The substitutes, Alioun Fall, Jacque Floweday and Gary Jones would have enjoyed their promotion to a first team berth and all performed admirably on a difficult surface and against hard tackling opponents.
Stones did not have the best of starts and although they enjoyed some very early possession, the Police looked dangerous and broke with speed and accuracy, embarrassing the home defence on several occasions. Not least when Luke Woods was beaten all ends up but was grateful to see a good strike hit the upright after only 6 minutes play. Woods had to be very alert and made some decent interceptions and blocks from Rob Carley and Michael Cobden.
But Wealdstone started to knock the ball around much more assuredly with Carl Martin and Darren Locke prompting some excellent moves out to the lively Danny Spendlove and Greg Ngoyi. Somewhat against the run of play Stones took the lead with a lovely move on 25 minutes. Ben Clarke whipped in a brilliant cross from the right and Greg Ngoyi smashed the ball in at the far post. And a few minutes later the Police keeper Mo Maan spilled the ball under pressure on the edge of the area and Danny Spendlove confidently lofted the ball into an empty net from distance for a good finish and 2-0.
And the away side were further punished a couple of minutes before the break when Ngoyi grabbed his second with a skilful run and superb finish, showing real determination to add to his tally.
Stones eased off a little in the second period but Graeme Montgomery soon got into the action with a good accurate strike that Maan could only parry. The Police were awarded a penalty following a clumsy challenge on 70minutes and reminded Stones that they still had work to do. Craig Carley netted for the Police.
But Wealdstone were soon on the attack again and this time Ben Alexander who had not had the best of luck on the night, found himself with time and space following a good run from Carl Martin and netted comfortably for 4-1
With several young substitutes thrown on the play broke up a little but there was still time for some excellent and enterprising forward play from Stones. Jacque Floweday showed a nice touch to jink past his marker and put a good accurate shot past Maan on 84 minutes. The police kept going and scored a consolation second goal a few minutes from the final whistle, but this did not take the gloss off a super home performance.
The draw for the 3rd Round will be held on Friday 5 December.
Wealdstone: Woods, Clarke, Chappell, Locke, Massey, Martin, Spendlove, Hicks, Alexander, Ngoyi, Montgomery. Subs used: Jones, Fall, Floweday. N/u: Ashe, Thomas.
Attendance: 73