Aveley 1 – 2 Wealdstone
Aveley1 - 2
WealdstoneAfter a days rain, both sides took a time to get used to the speed the ball came of the surface and the opening exchanges were scrappy with the home side having more possession without threatening, but as the half progressed, Stones got more into their stride and took a little more control of the game.
The first goal though, came from an Aveley corner. A long clearance found Marvin Morgan who slotted the ball onto Mickie Swaysland, his first time pass was sent through the defence and Ty Hercules running on beat his man to the ball, he controlled in his stride and hit a low shot from the edge of the box to give Wealdstone the lead on 26 minutes.
The remainder of the half was scrappy to say the least, the only ‘highlights’ being a long cross from the home side which came back of the crossbar and a scuffle eventually involving some 14 players. Marvin Morgan beat three strong challenges before finally losing possession, won back by Rob Courtnage, and then among two more heavy challenges, a scuffle broke out in front of the referee.
The players were separated and the referee called both assistants across to him, only to award the home side a free kick – not a word was spoken to any player, yet barely a minute later, rob Courtnage won the ball in another strong challenge and was immediately booked, but thankfully the half time whistle allowed both sides to settle down.
The second half started with Stones extending their lead, as a long clearance from Dave Ryan bounced on the edge of the home goal area. With the home keeper running out to meet the ball, Mickie Swaysland won the race and got there first, sneaking a header past the stranded custodian to make the score 2 – 0.
Aveley continued to battle and a good cross and header saw them again foiled by the woodwork, while stones worked hard but failed to create any real chances.
On 70 minutes Danny Tilbury was adjudged to have fouled a home player and argued with the referee who sent him away. Tilbury though continued to argue and received his second yellow card, immediately followed by a red on 70 minutes, as the rain poured down.
This gave the impetus to Aveley, but although they threatened, they didn’t trouble the Stones goal until the 86th minute. A long free kick was headed home by sub Mosley to give the home side yet more hope and they certainly finished the stronger.
Well into injury time, Beckford found Mapes in the home penalty area but he was dispossessed by the goalkeeper as he tried to walk the ball in for Stones third. Immediately from the long kick, Stones defence pushed out to far and left Blunden with only Andy Carter to beat but his brave dive at the forwards feet was enough to preserve Stones lead and win the points.
Wealdstone:Andy Carter, James Fisher, Rob Courtnage (b44), Dave Ryan, Matt Carvell, Tyronne Hercules (23), Martin Carter, Jason Shaw, Mick Swaysland (47, s85 Charlie Mapes), Marvin Morgan (s80 Jermaine Beckford) , Danny Tilbury (b38, s/o 70) Subs not used: Billy Amarteifio, Fred Cummins
Harrow Times
Aveley 1 – 2 Wealdstone
By Steve Paull
Stones’ winning streak….
Wealdstone returned from riverside Essex with three more valuable points that see them go back to the top of their division of the Ryman league after leaders Northwood could only draw against Uxbridge, writes Steve Paull.
But the points were hard earned after an opening period where the home side hit the woodwork twice through Dickinson and Allison.
Curran put a good chance wide and, midway through the half, Andy Carter saved brilliantly a goal bound volley from the same player.
It was from the corner following this that Wealdstone scored. A quick clearance saw Marvin Morgan pass to Mick Swaysland whose perfectly weighted through ball put Tyrone Hercules in the clear to fire the Stones ahead.
After half time it was a different story. Almost immediately Swaysland continued his goalscoring run to make it 2-0. A waist high stooping header on the edge of the box from Dave Ryan’s cross eluded the onrushing home keeper Smith and just had sufficient power to beat desperate attempts to clear.
This was followed soon after by the substitution of the dangerous Curran who was injured in a tackle with Matt Carvell.
These two incidents effectively killed the game for the home side.
Wealdstone were now cruising to victory, so much so that even the unnecessary sending off of Danny Tilbury after two bookings, the second for arguing about a free kick near the halfway line, failed to knock them out of their stride.
Aveley’s 39 year old player manager Mosely reduced the arrears five minutes from time with a near post header from a free kick which set up a tense and lively finish.
As the home side pushed players forward, huge gaps were left at the back. Wealdstone substitutes Charlie Mapes and Jermaine Beckford enjoyed plenty of time and space and Mapes in particular had two excellent chances to make the game safe, Smith denying him on both occasions.
As it was, when the Stones defence was caught square four minutes into stoppage time, Andy Carter capped his superb all round game with a courageous dive at the feet of Blunden in what turned out to be the last kick of the match.