Report – Wealdstone 1 – 0 Hungerford Town
Wealdstone
1 - 0
Hungerford TownAbo Eisa’s last minute penalty was the difference as Wealdstone battled to a seventh straight home win, and made it seven games unbeaten over a hard-working Hungerford Town in front of a season’s best crowd of 1,021 at Grosvenor Vale.
Prior to Kick-Off there was total silence around The Vale as bugler Jordon Low sounded the Last Post in remembrance of the fallen.It was a tense, frustrating encounter for much of the duration of the clash with much of the pre-match build-up centred around Stones boss Bobby Wilkinson who left Hungerford in August.
Wilkinson made just one change from the strong side that started in the midweek Middlesex Senior Cup win over Hayes & Yeading, Sam Cox recovered from his ankle injury to replace Matty Whichelow.
The first half had few chances, with Eisa swerving Wealdstone’s best effort wide just nine minutes into the game. Nicholas Bignall then had two good opportunities for the visitors just before half time but put both of those wide.
It wasn’t until the final 15 minutes that the game really sparked into life. Ryan Sellers free-kick pulled off a well-held save by young keeper Marcus Beauchamp, who was making his debut after Reading-loanee Lewis Ward left to join Aldershot during the week.
Hungerford then had two great chances to take a late lead. After some pinball in the Stones box the ball fell to Anton Rogers on the edge of the area but he swerved a shot wide. Shortly after, Paul Stonehouse pulled a spectacular low stop from Jonathan North from a similar position.
Stones fans were seething in the 83rd minute after Eisa was booked for simulation inside the penalty area when clear contact looked to have been made.
However, deep in added time Eisa again collected the ball in the box only to be bundled over and referee Jacob Miles point to the spot. The young winger then showed great composure and character to step up and coolly convert the penalty past Beauchamp and send the massed crowd behind the goal into raptures.
Wealdstone travel to Oxford City next Saturday who are coming off the back of two impressive victories in Essex over Colchester United and Chelmsford City.
WEALDSTONE: North, Oshodi, Sellers, Olomowewe, Day, Cox, Williams (Hippolyte-Patrick 65), Okimo, Okojie (Fitchett 65), Green (Goodger 65), Eisa.
MoM – Ryan Sellars
Listen to Bobby Wilkinson’s post match interview HERE
Steve Foster pictures HERE
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