Banbury Utd 3 – 1 Wealdstone
Banbury United3 - 1
WealdstoneStones hadn’t played since the 9th of December and for the first 45 minutes, although with a couple of new faces in the side, it looked at times like they hadn’t played this season. there was a lack of cohesion and no talking as players struggled to find team mates with passes, at times allowing Banbury to push on at will.
It has been the story of a couple of recent home games, but yet again Stones managed to concede a simple goal on three minutes, as Paul Lamb’s cross was met with a free header at the far post from Forinton.
Stones had a couple of good chances in the first half from Montgomery, both saved well, but in injury time they managed to concede a second (almost identical) goal, this time Stanbridge on hand to score with Banbury’s second attempt of the half.
The introduction of Graham hall at half time gave Stones more shape and they took the game to their opponents forcing the home side into some frantic defending, and it was Hall himself who pulled a goal back on the hour with a low shot from 18 yards. Montgomery, Papali and Gooderick all saw efforts saved as Stones got on top of the home side looking for an equaliser, but it was all to no avail as Gavin Bamford was guilty of giving away a needless penalty with a push and received his second booking for arguing with the referee about the decision, leaving stones to play the last 15 minutes 3-1 down and with ten men.
They still battled but were unable to break through again, but were depleted even further on 88 minutes when a late block from Dean Papali was mistimed, catching the defender on the thigh, and Papali too received a red card to end another fruitless journey for Stones.
Wealdstone: Mitch Swain, Josias Carbon, Fergus Moore, Carl Martin, Ernest Simon 40, Gavin Bamford 13,75, Dean Clark, Josh Cooper s45 Graham Hall 60, Hector Mackie s60 Matt Gooderick, Dean Papali 88, Graeme Montgomery, Subs Not Used: John Christian, Stuart Goodall, Adriano De Moraes
Harrow Times Steve Spaull
THE woes of Wealdstone continue with another defeat to a slightly more solid team who appear not to have to work too hard to create the chances to score.
And the saga of conceding early goals continued too as this time, with three minutes on the clock, an unmarked Forinton headed in at the far post following a cross from ex-Stone Paul Lamb.
There were two debutants in the Wealdstone line up – Hector Mackie from Stevenage is a forward, and Ernest Simon, a midfielder, was promoted from the reserves. Mitchell Swain took over in the Wealdstone goal after a re-occurrence of the eye trouble that has plagued Lee Carroll for some while now.
An almost chanceless half of football followed the goal and a one goal deficit at half time might have been acceptable as Wealdstone shown more competitiveness in the second half this season, but when Stanbridge headed the second for Banbury in overtime, in a remarkably similar fashion to the first, Stones had a mountain to climb.
Climb it they started to do – Dean Papali had a header cleared off the line, Mackie hooked wide with only the keeper to beat and then with an hour just past, Graham Hall, in his first start this season following a horrific injury pre-season, beat Thornton with a low shot from distance.
When Thornton produced a wonder save to keep out a ferocious volley from Graeme Montgomery it really did look like Stones could at least return to London with a draw.
Unfortunately then they went and blew it. Gavin Bamford, already unnecessarily booked for something he said to the referee in the first half, blatantly pushed a Banbury forward to concede a penalty. He then again said something out of turn to the official and was dismissed.
While walking off to the jeers of the away fans Bamford, never popular with Stones supporters, gave them a “thumbs up” gesture which prompted a melee around the tunnel involving player, manager, supporters and officials from both sides.
Amazingly, while all this was going on, Baird scored from the spot and with only ten minutes to go the game was as good as over.
In the frustration of the final minutes a crude foul from Papali earnt Stones a second red card and ended a sour tasting afternoon.