Wealdstone 2 – 1 Kingstonian
Wealdstone
2 - 1
KingstonianWealdstone claimed their first league victory for two months on Monday night, as they produced a superb performance to see off high flying Kingstonian. Despite falling behind to an early goal, they produced a hard working and gutsy performance to claim a massive win, which they hope will kick start their season after some poor results of late. In a game which was highly entertaining and a superb advert for non league football, Stones played what many would say was there best football of the season against a Kingstonian side who had only lost twice this season.
Gordon Bartlett made two changes from Saturday’s disappointing draw against Maidstone, with Greg Ngoyi replacing the injured George Daly upfront, and Kieron Forbes returning from suspension to replace Scott Fitzgerald in a change which meant that Peter Dean was pushed upfront alongside Ngoyi. It was a lively opening from the home side, however they found themselves behind after just 4 minutes when they failed to clear their lines properly from a corner, and the ball was fired back into the box, where K’s striker Bobby Traynor was able to bundle home from close range.The early set back seemed to spur Stones on though, and they began to move the ball around nicely, almost creating an opening 9 minutes in, when Forbes was chopped down by Tom Bird near the corner flag. Lee Chappell fired the resultant free kick high into the box, where the presence of Chris O’Leary caused Kingstonian ‘keeper Rob Tolfrey to drop the ball, however the K’s defence cleared the loose ball to safety.
Despite having some early pressure, Stones could have been further behind 20 minutes, when Traynor had a great chance to double the away sides lead, however he inexplicably side footed wide from 12 yards after being found by a clever pull back from Sam Clayton. It was now end to end stuff, with Stones striker Greg Ngoyi having an effort well saved by the legs of Tolfrey, before Clayton prodded the ball just wide of the post when one on one with Jonathan North.
Clayton’s miss proved to be costly for the visitors, and Stones grabbed a deserved equaliser on the brink of half time. ‘Keeper Jonathan North rolled the ball out to Chris O’Leary, whose forward pass found Alex Dyer. Dyer carried the ball forward before threading a superb ball through to Ngoyi, who took one touch before slotting past Tolfrey at the near post. It was to be the last action of the half as the sides went in level at the break. Stones came out for the second half full of confidence and had a great chance to take the lead on 53 minutes, when Chappell’s free kick was nodded back across goal by O’Leary to the waiting Ngoyi, however he flashed his volley just wide of the far post.
Stones did take the lead ten minutes later though, with a goal that epitomised the night’s performance. The tireless Greg Ngoyi chased and harried a K’s defender, eventually winning the ball and squaring it to Peter Dean who’s left foot shot squirmed past Tolfrey, despite the K’s ‘keeper getting a hand to it. After taking the lead Stones began find themselves being pressed back, and central defender Darren Locke had to be alert on 64 minutes to clear off the line from Bobby Traynor’s brave header. Despite a late Kingstonian rally, Wealdstone defended resolutely with Alan Massey picking up the man of the match award for a heroic display in central defence, although the award could have easily gone to any number of his teammates.
As the game entered the closing stages, Kingstonian were unable to find a way past the Stones defence, and things could have got even better for the home side, when a bizarre mix up over a free kick resulted in Peter Dean having an effort from distance well saved by Tolfrey. The final whistle was met by a huge roar from the Wealdstone faithful, who will be looking for more of the same this coming Sunday, as these two sides square up again at Kingsmeadow in the FA Trophy.
Man of the Match: Alan Massey
Attendance: 405
Wealdstone: North, Parker, Chappell, Locke, Massey, Dyer, Dean, O’Leary, Ngoyi, Forbes, Spendlove. Subs not used: Brooks, Cronin, Fitzgerald, Lavers, Thomas
By Stuart Warren
Steve Foster Match Pics HERE