Barton Rovers 0 – 1 Wealdstone
Barton Rovers0 - 1
WealdstoneStones took the game to the opposition from the off, forcing the home side deep into their own half early on, as Morgan and Ryan both saw chances cleared.
The response from the home team was not so much football as assault as twice in the early exchanges, Rob Courtnage was kicked to the floor well after he had played the ball. The offenders, Lochead and Spring were both booked but on many another day they both would have been sent off , and they could have had little complaint as both seemed to be pre-meditated challenges.
Courtnage was able to continue, however, and to his credit kept his composure well and got on with the game. As the half progressed, it seemed only a matter of time before Wealdstone would score as only inspired goalkeeping from deserved Man of the Match, Gillham, kept the scores level. Morgan was foiled on four occasions by very quick reaction saves, and Alexander, Shaw, Ryan and Tucker also saw efforts cleared.
At the other end, Andy Carter had little to do, as the home side resorted to breakaway’s well handled by the Stones defence.
As the fog thickened towards half time, Courtnage and Lochead were involved again. The home captain was fouled by Jason Shaw and fell between Courtnage’s legs. As the referee awarded the free kick, Lochead stood up and pushed Courtnage by the throat before motioning his head forward as if to head butt. – All this no more than five yards from the Referee. The only surprise was the award of a second yellow card rather than a straight red and Lochead left the field.
In the second half, Stones maintained the pressure but struggled to breakdown the re-organised home defence, although a number of ‘heavy’ challenges saw a number of free kick awarded and a few more names added to the officials collection.
It was from one of these that Stones scored the only goal. Mapes took the kick quickly to Martin Carter. He broke to the bye-line on the right hand side and drove a low cross across the area where it was met by Marvin Morgan who shot home from close range.
It made the last ten minutes tense as Barton finally applied some pressure of their own, forcing their only two corners of the match, but Stones continued to defend well and held onto the three points .
Wealdstone: Andy Carter, James Fisher, Dave Ryan (s78 Matt Perry), Robin Tucker, Matt Carvell, Martin Carter, Billy Amarteifio, Jason Shaw, Ben Alexander (s65 Danny Tilbury), Marvin Morgan (79), Rob Courtnage (b39, s78 Charlie Mapes), Subs not used: Charlie Leary, Jermaine Beckford.