Report – Wealdstone 2 – 1 Hampton & Richmond Borough
Wealdstone
2 - 1
Hampton & Richmond Borough
Wealdstone ground out a narrow win to beat Hampton and Richmond 2-1 in a terrific encounter on Non-League Day. The win takes the Stones up to 4th place in a game that showcased the quality of non-league football.
Goals from David Pratt and Bradley Bubb put Wealdstone 2-0 up, before Hampton and Richmond struck back in a dramatic first 15 mins. The away side were down to 10 men on the hour mark and despite throwing everything at Wealdstone, they held on for 3 points.
Bobby Wilkinson fielded a much familiar side on Non-League Day as he made just the one change from the last league match with David Pratt coming in for the injured Bradley Hudson-Odoi. It was a surprise, however to see experienced striker Chris Dickson on the bench for Hampton and Richmond who made 2 changes from the 2-0 loss to league leaders Billericay Town.
Wealdstone started on the front foot driving forward within the first minute of the game. Fumnaya Shomotun beat 3 players on a mazy run into the penalty area before getting a shot away and the ball found its way to David Pratt who headed in after just 90 seconds. Hampton and Richmond couldn’t get a grip on the game in the first 5 minutes and Wealdstone were playing with rapid intensity.
There was a real sense of domination and Wealdstone were constantly pressing the Hampton and Richmond defence with Shomotun at the heart of the attack. What followed was a manic 10 minutes of action. Freddie Grant met a wonderfully weighted pass in behind and was pulled to the ground by Casey Maclaren resulting in a spot kick. A 2-0 lead was everything Wealdstone deserved but Daniel Green’s penalty was saved brilliantly down to the goalkeeper’s left.
The pressure was constant and Wealdstone’s 4th corner of the game was powerfully headed straight at Tom Lovelock by Freddie Grant. Their 5th corner resulted in Lovelock scrambling, and Bradley Bubb flicking the ball home to give the home side a 2-goal advantage. 4 minutes later Hampton and Richmond replied, perhaps caused by a lack of concentration at the back. A floated cross to the far post evaded everyone but Maclaren made up for conceding the penalty by getting on the scoresheet.
After 25 minutes, there was a collective exhale around Grosvenor Vale, as everyone caught their breath back. This was the quietest moment of the match so far, but nevertheless it hung in the balance and became more of a battle.
The second half started with caution from both sides, and was a complete contrast to the start of the first. Hampton and Richmond opted for Chris Dickson as a second striker, in replacement for their captain Ricky Wellard. Wealdstone had the game settled until around the hour mark, where the pace started to pick up.
Both sides were building constructively but Wealdstone were handed back the advantage when Maclaren was sent off for a vicious tackle on Godfrey Poku. This resulted in the away side bringing on striker Zak Joseph to desperately try for a goal. A goal did not feel out of sight, but Stones were locking in, making correct decisions defensively.
Opportunities came in spells, with Dickson volleying straight at North and Wealdstone attempting to kill the game on the counter attack. But as the game entered injury time, Stones managed the game out for a well earnt 3 points.
First team coach, Mike Percival, said “We’re obviously delighted, it was a brilliant advert for Non-League Day. The boys’ commitment, their training, their desire was absolutely fantastic.
“Freddie (Grant) and Jake (Sheppard) were excellent, pushing them back in the first half, we executed the game plan. Obviously disappointed to concede the sloppy goal, but Hampton are a brilliant side with a brilliant manager.”
Wealdstone – North, Sheppard, Grant, Stevens, Okimo (C), Poku, Shomotun, Ahmidi, Pratt, Green, Bubb Subs used: Lench. Unused: Wilson, Charles, Clark, Slew
BY SAM WATTS