Aveley 3 – 1 Wealdstone
Aveley3 - 1
WealdstoneThere is little that can be said about this performance from the Stones.
It was dispirited, disjointed and overall very dismal, as they created little and gave little service to the front two, and contrived at almost every opportunity to put themselves under pressure with careless passes, mistimed and missing challenges and an inability to control the ball.
Aveley soon got on top of the game, having noted the weakness running through the visitors and they took the lead on 15 minutes when Carvell pulled a player back in the box to concede a penalty – this only moments after Stones could have been awarded a penalty as Morgan, a lone bright spot in the performance battled through and seemed to be pulled down by the goalkeeper. The referee however saw things differently and awarded a goal kick.
It was not the best of nights for the referee as he found seven bookings and two penalties in an innocuous game, but he cannot be blamed for the inabilities in the Stones side or the result.
Stones did manage to hold on until half time without further conceding, but the hopes of a brighter second half were soon dashed. Winning a corner the ball was cleared to the edge of the box where Tommy Williams lost out on a challenge. A long ball forward saw the three defenders appeal for offside and stop as Scott Griffiths broke forward chasing the ball – Carter came well out of his box to clear but he lost out and the ball crept into the corner of the Stones net to give the home side a 2-0 lead.
There was an improvement from Wealdstone for a short while and they pulled a goal back through sheer tenacity from Marvin Morgan, who bustled his way through three challenges before shooting wide of the home keeper on 69 minutes.
Stones continued to press and had their best spell of the game – Ryan and Williams unlucky not to equalise, but with time running out Stones were again caught forward and as the home side broke Rob Courtnage fouled the home forward, Bently stepping up to score a second penalty of the game, confirming Stones loss by 3-1.
There were few who came out of this match with any honours, and you have to wonder on performances like this how many will be around for the opening of the new Stadium next season.
You must be logged in to post a comment.