Margate 1 – 1 Wealdstone
Margate
1 - 1
WealdstoneWealdstone’s luck continues to be cruelly lacking at present as the relief at gaining a hard won point at Hartsdown Park on Tuesday was countered by yet more injuries as Callum Martin and Chris O’Leary limped off to add to the ever lengthening queue for the treatment table. This is a now a fresh crisis as Stones management grapple with how to turn out a regulation and fully fit side for Saturday’s short trip to Hendon (at Wembley’s Vale Farm ground) quite apart from the pressing need to re ignite their play off hopes.
Both sides were looking to erase their respective second half debacles of last Saturday when clear leads were wiped out by shipping goals to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. Margate needed a win to pull out of the Ryman Premier relegation mire, Stones to kick-start their play off aspirations; in truth a draw was always a likely outcome of a tense and tentative encounter.
Wealdstone had swooped to sign Adam Logie from Ashford Town (Middlesex) on Monday, and went straight into the team for the match at Margate. Logie , 25, is an experienced player and is something of a surprise exit from the Tangerines as he has been a stalwart with them clocking up 120 appearances, 21 as substitute, scoring 14 goals. The combative midfield player will be a welcome addition to Stones engine room but will need time to bed in as he has not been able to feature regularly for the Short Lane side recently – hence his move to Wealdstone.
As for the match itself, Stones stormed into an early lead, with the returning Darren Locke bagging his first league goal of the season from a corner after only 7 minutes.
Stones dominated for long periods of the first half, gaining several corners, but couldn’t add their lead in a much improved and combative performance.
But Wealdstone conceded too much possession in a tough second period as Margate pushed hard for an equaliser. This duly arrived following a period of heavy pressure in the 75th minute from ‘Gate striker Joe Healy. To Stones credit they held out despite disruption caused by injuries up front and in the midfield. Sean Thomas again brought off several good saves to prevent a wholly unwanted third defeat on the trot.
And the busiest part of the Wealdstone camp this week will undoubtedly be in the treatment room area as various body parts will be feverishly assessed, with one hand on the calculator.
Wealdstone: Thomas, McCoy, Fitzgerald, Locke, Massey, Ashe, Gibson, O’Leary, Jamie Osborne, Martin, Logie. Subs used: King, Gray, Junior Osborne. N/u: Beagle (GK)
Steve Foster Match Pics HERE