Match Report – Wealdstone 0 – 1 Bath City
Wealdstone
0 - 1
Bath CityWealdstone’s poor run of home form continued on a thoroughly miserable Monday night at The Vale. Their generally awful record against Bath City over past seasons never really looked like being overturned with a victory and Stones toiled throughout this limp contest.
Not that the Romans were much better than their hosts as they hung on to virtually the only on target strike on the night when Andy Watkins scored with a header from a dead ball kick after 35 minutes play. Unfortunately for the Stones an 80% possession rating in an anaemic second period failed to deliver sufficient chances to deliver up even a much needed point to steady the ship.
The majority of the 638 crowd were again left scratching their heads in unison with Wealdstone’s management team as to the simple question of ‘why is this happening? On paper Wealdstone have a strong squad but they are, for whatever reason, not performing on anything like a consistent enough basis and they continue to frustrate as a unit.
Nevertheless Stones did start the match in a lively mode and Matty Whichelow had a decent attempt on goal. But City soon got into their stride with some purpose and with their towering centre half, Manny Monthe, it soon looked like a complete mis- match with Stones diminutive forwards.
Elliott Godfrey cleared off the line and then Jon North held a strike from Watkins as Stones started to struggle with some wayward passing.
Former Stone Marvin Morgan who failed to gain a place in the side during a brief spell last season obliged the home side with some poor finishing when well placed.
With the home side’s attacks breaking down, City grabbed their chance. A free kick was given away in a dangerous position on the left and Watkins was first to the ball, throwing himself into an on-target position and the ball squirmed over the line.
And that for City was basically it. But it proved to be enough.
The second period was no better for the home side in terms of a cutting edge but they completely dominated possession at the struggling Romans grew increasingly nervous at the thought of a win.
A triple substitution from Manager Gordon Bartlett did improve the tempo with Ricky Wellard the pick of the bunch but the paucity of creativity and goal threat in the final third of the pitch was all too obvious to see.
A generous five minutes of added time failed to help Wealdstone as another home defeat was sadly recorded
Wealdstone: North, Oshodi, Brown, Urquhart, Goulding, Godfrey, Wright, Green, Benyon, Whichelow, Koroma. Subs used: Wellard, Kabba, Cox (all 62 mins). Not used: Hunt, McGleish.
Listen to Manager Gordon Bartlett’s post match reaction HERE
Alan Palmer pictures HERE
WFC Instagram pictures HERE