Arlesey Town 3 – 3 Wealdstone
Arlesey Town3 - 3
WealdstoneA game Stones should have won, but a point is better than none.
Both sides struggled with the conditions early on, before Stone space up front began to cause the home defence problems.
On 23 minutes, Stones took the lead from a free kick awarded when Steve Magona, off being treated after a clash returned to the field of play and kicked the ball away, before the Ref had called him back on. The free kick was floated in and Marvin Morgan headed home from 5 yards.
Stones continued to dominate but gave Arlesey and equaliser on 40 minutes, Harding broke into the box and his quick cross found Marshall unmarked as he headed home from the edge of the six yard box. The scores remained level for only a couple of minutes though as Morgan again gave Stones the lead. This time a very heavy challenge from the already booked Courbold saw the ref wave play on as Stones broke forward and Morgan was again on hand to finish the cross. The referee then to everyone’s amazement spoke to his assistant, both of whom who were within fifteen yards of the challenge and they then chose to call over the wrong player for a talking too – even though Courbold ran up to the prostrate Swaysland and offered an apology!
Morgan should also have scored again on half time when his pace took him round the keeper, but caught in two minds, his shot was cleared by a defender for a corner.
The second half started with the Stones defence asleep, as within two minutes the scores were level, Stones defence not reacting as Barratt pushed his way through to score from close range and a few minutes later, they did it again, this time Marshall bettering the defence to give the home dside the lead.
On 62 minutes, Stones levelled from a penalty when Jolly was brought down in the box, seeing Barratt dismissed for the foul and from then on Stones made the better of the possession but again failed to break down the ten men and secure the win.
Wealdstone: Andy Carter, James Fisher (s80 Charlie Mapes), Billy Amarteifio, Robin Tucker, Matt Carvell, Martin Carter, Dave Ryan (s60 Danny Tilbury), Jason Shaw, Mickie Swaysland (p62), Marvin Morgan (23, 42), Tyronne Hercules, (s53 Richard Jolly) Subs not used: Gulad Adan, Carl Hunt
Harrow Times Steve Paull
Arlesey Town 3 Wealdstone 3
Games like this are going to have to be won if Wealdstone’s young side are going to get promoted this season, writes Steve Paull.
After the usual slow start Stones took the lead just after 20 minutes. A free kick from the right hung in the air. Home keeper Patching couldn’t reach it and Marvin Morgan reacted first to head in from close range.
But Arlesey did equalise on 40 minutes when Marshall headed in a right wing cross.
Immediately Wealdstone struck back. Dave Ryan fed Martin Carter wide on the left who presented Marvin with the ball to score his second.
Having played advantage so well, the referee should then have booked Cobbold for a late tackle. As the player had already been booked he would have been dismissed. A lecture was all the official chose to do.
Within ten minutes of the second half Parratt levelled the scores, then Marshall put Arlesey in front with a classic far post header, this time the cross coming from the left.
Richard Jolly then burst into the box, Parratt brought him down and Mick Swaysland calmly putting away the penalty.
The fluency had gone from Wealdstone’s game at this stage and they were glad for the whistle.