Cheshunt 0 – 1 Wealdstone
Cheshunt
0 - 1
WealdstoneA welcome 1-0 win for Stones against a serious relegation contender in the ,much changes Cheshunt side, but a score line that also indicates a far closer match than was actually the case.
Cheshunt were recently decimated when the manager and 14 of the squad left to join Boreham Wood in the Southern League – only three of todays side recognised from the ‘original’ team, and this has seen them slup from a play-off position to the bottom end of the table, so it was crucial that Stones got the result to ease the pressure on themselves.
They started the brightest, with the wind at their backs and after some early forays forward from Cheshunt, it became almost one way traffic. Richard Jolly could easily have scored five in the first half, but today he was foiled by the home keeper (twice) and was just a little out of sorts generally – Beckford, McKeown and Morton could all have opened Stones account, but to no avail as Cheshunt did defend in numbers.
The break through came on 44 minutes when Burrell took a free kick and Dave Ryan was on hand to send a back-header past Kali in the home goal to give Stones a 1-0 lead.
The second half saw Stones again have the majority of the possession, this time creating less in front of goal but still holding the home side at bay – from Cheshunt’s perspective the final ball was generally poorly delivered as they struggled to make any advantage with the wind and i cannot remember Andy Carter being called to make a save ‘in anger’.
At the other end, chances were more sporadic, though Jolly, Beckford Morton and McKeown again could have improved the advantage. The best chance though was probably that created by substitute Alexander who won the ball under pressure in his own half and ran fully 65 yards shaking off the defenders on the way, only to slide the ball within Kali’s grasp late on.
It wasn’t Stones best performance by far but it was solid and on another day with the chances takes the scoreline may have been far more severe on the home side.
Harrow Times – Steve Paull
WEALDSTONE gained a welcome three points in this dour struggle on Saturday.
Fortunately, they came across a Cheshunt side completely bereft of confidence. The home side were top-of-the-table as recently as mid-October but now find themselves close to the relegation places.
But that is of no concern to Stones, who may have been in a similar position themselves had they lost this encounter.
Richard Jolly had four presentable chances in a one-sided first half, but at the moment is going through one of those periods where the goals just won’t come.
Two headers were straight at home keeper Kalli and saved, one more by luck than judgement. A Beckford cross just eluded his outstretched foot and, worst of all, after getting the better of Butler he shot straight at Kalli from eight yards.
Playing downhill with a following wind it seemed imperative that Wealdstone take a lead into the second half for a defensive final period.
It seemed increasingly unlikely but, with only seconds remaining, Dave Ryan got his head to a Martin Carter free kick and his delicate header gave Stones the goal they wanted.
The expected onslaught from Cheshunt did not materialise and the Stones defence looked sound throughout. Only once was it breached: Andy Carter, rushing off his line to save from Bubb. The follow up was blocked and Stones survived.
Wealdstone could have increased their lead had Carter’s deflected shot gone in after hitting the post.
In added time, Ben Alexander failed when one-on-one with Kalli, his poor shot saved by the keeper’s feet.
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