Kingstonian 0 – 3 Wealdstone
Kingstonian
0 - 3
Wealdstone
Wealdstone’s season is up and running after a great team performance saw them run out very comfortable 3-0 winners over Kingstonian on Saturday.
Goals from Wes Parker, Richard Jolly and David Hicks did the damage, although in truth the score line could have been even more emphatic had it not been for some excellent goalkeeping from home goalkeeper Rob Tolfrey.
On a perfect playing surface it was Wealdstone who had the first chance of the afternoon two minutes in when Alex Dyer lofted a great through ball to Richard Jolly, however he was just beaten to the ball by K’s goalkeeper Tolfrey. Kurtney Brooks was next to come close on the quarter hour mark, seeing his 20 yard effort palmed away by Tolfrey for a corner.
Stones then took the lead on 24 minutes when a free kick into the box from David Hicks was met by Captain Wes Parker who rose unchallenged to head home his first goal of the season. Remarkably this was the first goal Stones have scored in the first half of a game so far this season.
K’s looked for an instant response and had a chance to level things up immediately, however Bashiru Alimi could only fire over when well placed.
Jonathan North was then called into action for the first time of the afternoon on 29 minutes, getting down well to make an excellent save from a powerful effort from Ian Selley.
Stones had a great chance to double their lead five minutes before half time when another free kick into box from Hicks was flicked on to the far post by Alan Massey; Jolly attacked the ball but couldn’t quite wrap his foot around the ball to turn it home.
The home side came out for the second half with more attacking threat early on, with Dewayne Clarke seeing his shot from an acute angle deflected away for a corner, before Bobby Traynor hit a powerful effort from the edge of the box straight at North.
Despite K’s bright start, Stones were able to double their lead in the 53rd minute. Richard Jolly chased a hopeful long ball
forward before expertly holding off the covering defender Tom Hutchinson. The hotshot striker was then able to advance towards goal before producing a trademark finish into the far corner.
The home side were well and truly rattled and found themselves 3-0 down two minutes later. David Hicks had time and space to get down the right, before seeing his attempted cross deflected back into his path. The midfielder took a touch before chipping a delightful ball into the far post which looped over Tolfrey much to the delight of the 100 travelling Wealdstone fans.
Jolly again came close on 64 minutes, finding himself one on one with Tolfrey after another pinpoint pass from Dyer, however the K’s keeper did well to block his effort. Tolfrey excelled again again 5 minutes later, this time saving from Brooks after some great hold up play from Kieran Knight saw him put the former Watford man through on goal. Brooks then came close to what would have been a spectacular 4th for Stones. Dyer lofted another ball forward to Knight who chested the ball into the path of Brooks 25 yards out. Rather than take a touch the midfielder opted to hit the ball first time, seeing his effort fly just wide of the post.
At the other end Kingstonian were finding it tough to carve out any chances against the resolute Stones backline, however captain Gary McDonald did have a good chance to pull one back on 82 minutes, however he blazed hopelessly over from 6 yards after Stones had failed to clear a free kick.
There was a welcome sight for Wealdstone fans with six minutes left to play, with the introduction of Chris O’Leary who returns after a very lengthy spell out with injury. Substitute Danny Spendlove had one last chance for Stones to add more gloss to the scoreline in the dying moments, however the winger failed to connect properly when put in by another pass from Dyer.
After this impressive victory, Stones will be looking to carry forward that momentum at home to Leatherhead on Monday night, 7.45pm kick off.
Wealdstone: North, Hammond, Chappell, Parker (c), Massey, Dyer, McCubbin, Brooks (Spendlove 79), Knight (Dean 85), Jolly, Hicks (O’Leary 84). Subs not used: Cronin, Parsons.
By Stuart Warren
Steve Foster Match Pics HERE