Report – Wealdstone 3 – 3 Staines Town (Staines win 6-5 on penalties)
WealdstoneSF
5-6 (P)
Staines TownIt was the heartache of a penalty shootout that cost Wealdstone a place in the Middlesex Senior Cup Final after they played out a thoroughly entertaining 3-3 draw with Staines Town at Grosvenor Vale on Tuesday night.
Dan Fitchett gave the Stones an early lead before Sam Hatton, Elliott Buchanan and Max Worsfold put Staines 3-1 ahead. Danny Green converted a penalty to halve the deficit before David Pratt’s 93rd minute header sent the tie straight to penalties.
Stones had the chance to win at the shoot-out but Connor Hudnott saved Matty Whichelow’s effort to send it to sudden death before the keeper saved Fitchett’s penalty to win 6-5 in the shootout and set up a final against Hendon or Barnet who both play next week.
Bobby Wilkinson made four changes to the side that beat Truro City on the weekend. Ryan Sellers made his first start following a lengthy injury and a debut was handed to Bristol Rovers loanee Kunle Otudeko, Glenn Wilson and Fitchett also returned to the starting eleven.
Wealdstone fired out the starting blocks and Hudnott was forced into some early saves to deny Green and Otudeko. Jonathan North also had to be alert at the other end to thwart Worsfold from close range.
On 11 minutes the Stones lead. Green whipped in a corner and the unmarked Fitchett had the easiest of tap ins from six yards out.
But Staines responded well and levelled from a well worked short corner, the low cross deflected goalward forcing North into a quick reaction save but he tipped it into the path of Hatton who slotted in.
And the Swans were ahead just five minutes later when Worsfold’s cross was met by a well directed header from Buchanan which gave North no chance.
The visitors stayed in the ascendancy into the second half as well and doubled their lead on 57 minutes. Mo Bettamer was given a clear run on goal after beating Wilson, his shot was parried by North into the path of Worsfold and he tapped into an empty net.
This prompted Wilkinson into making a double change with Whichelow and Mustafa Tiryaki introduced. The pair provided better service for the strikers and Stones had a penalty on 69 minutes after Pratt was shoved attempting to head in Whichelow’s cross. Green converted despite Hudnott going the correct way.
Stones continued to pressure a resilient Staines backline and just when the game looked to be over they equalised. Pratt headed in Green’s free kick in the 93rd minute to send the tie to penalties. Although there was still time for another chance but Jonathan Hippolyte struck straight at North.
Worsfold, Green, Lewis Driver, Sellers, Daniel Brown and Pratt all scored their penalties. Staines sub Nathaniel Olawole was then denied by North, Tiryaki smashed his into the top corner to put Wealdstone 4-3 ahead.
Tyrell Miller-Rodney then scored his penalty to keep Staines in the tie before Hudnott saved Whichelow’s effort to send the shootout to sudden death.
Tom Gilbey, Sam Cox and Wadah Ahmidi all scored before Hudnott again proved to be the hero , saving Fitchett’s effort.
League leaders Dartford are Wealdstone’s next opponents at The Vale on Saturday at 3PM.
WEALDSTONE: North, Johnson-Schuster, Sellers, Gayle (Day 70), Wilson, Cox, Allen (Whichelow 58), Fitchett, Pratt, Green, Otudeko (Tiryaki 58). Subs not used: Goodger, Artwell.
By Chris Wood