Braintree Town 2 -0 Wealdstone
Braintree Town
2 - 0
WealdstoneThere was to be no miraculous goal scoring feat in the first game post Jermaine, but it was a better Stones performance that a week previously when he was in this side!
Stones were always underdogs but battled well and gave little to their top of the table opponents in a game decided by a goal in each half.
Iron took the lead on 20 minutes when James Hawes cut inside his man on the edge of the box and fired a low shot across the goal into the far corner in the only real chance of the first half, though Lee Carroll in goal made an excellent reaction save from a close range header.
Iron could have scored a couple early on in the second half but again they were thwarted by Carrol once with his legs blocking a 1 on 1 attempt and then diving between a players legs in combination with the returning Dave Ryan (who was impressive throughout) to grab the ball, but he was powerless to stop the home side’s second goal from Ofori immediately he came on as a 70th minutes substitute.
A near post corner was back headed to him and he reacted well to head the ball home.
Stones best spell came late on with sub Ben Alexander breaking forward only to skew a shot cum cross across the box but he showed some of his previous abilities in holding the ball up to bring players into the game around him, but Stones couldn’t find a way through.
This week Manager Gordon Bartlett hopes to be able to arrange a friendly as there are a couple of players available from Football League clubs, and there may also be a signing or two as he looks to strengthen the side and preserve Stones Premier Division status.
Wealdstone: Lee Carroll, Dave Ryan, Neil McDonald, Graham Hall, Jamie Palmer (s 35 Lee Chappell) Chris Zoricich (s68 Graeme Montgomery) John Christian, Josh Cooper, Phil Turner, Juan Miquel DeSouza (s68 Ben alexander) Gary Burrell Subs not used: Leigh Harrington, Lee Holland