East Thurrock United 0 – 2 Wealdstone
East Thurrock United0 - 2
WealdstoneComposure was the key to the Stones performance today, as a win would guarantee a play-off place and this was duly secured.
On a difficult pitch, Stones controlled the game from the early stages as their hosts seemed more intent on timewasting rather than trying to win the game, but Wealdstone found it difficult to break through and create any more than a half chance. Their best effort of the half, a cross cum shot from Butler which hit the crossbar, other efforts from Jolly, Beckford and Tilbury failing to break the deadlock.
The second half started in similar fashion, but on 62 minutes Stones got the breakthrough when Butler headed home from a corner, and continuing to press, stones scored a second when Jolly forced the home keeper into an error – he spilled the ball to Dave Ryan – whose back heel was good enough to score Stones second goal.
East Thurrock failed to create a single decent chance in the match and so Wealdstone progress to the Ryman League Play-Off for the last place in the Premier Division for next season. The match away to Dulwich Hamlet on Monday 3rd May at 7:30pm.
After 58 matches this season, success or failure comes down to the very last match…
A SUPERB and thoroughly competent performance saw Wealdstone to victory in the first of the weekend’s must-win games. Another win in Monday’s play-off game against Dulwich Hamlet would see the “promotion” achieved.
Impressive as the Wealdstone performance was, in this game East Thurrock showed very little interest all afternoon.
They seemed thoroughly content to see out their season with a goalless draw judging by the time they spent to play any dead ball in the first half.
It was hard to play decent football on a very bumpy pitch, but Stones were completely motivated for the must-win challenge that faced them.
Goalscoring opportunities were squandered at regular intervals-Jermaine Beckford volleyed over, Gary McKeown sliced wide, and Martin Carter put the ball across the box with nobody close enough to get the final touch.
The worst of these was Richard Jolly, who with only the keeper to beat, saw his effort hit Hardingham’s legs and rebound to safety.
Despite all the possession and superiority, both second half goals were scrappy.
Just after the hour Danny Butler’s header from Gary McKeown’s corner was powerful, but too far out to cause too much trouble.
That was until James Duncan ducked down in front of it, probably in the hope of getting a deflection.
When he missed it entirely, the bounce on the uneven pitch confused the the keeper and nearby defenders with the result that the ball crept over the line before it could be cleared.
Ten minutes from the end Stones made the game safe.
McKeown’s free kick was dropped by Hardingham under pressure and Dave Ryan back-heeled the ball in.
Amazingly, considering that the referee had been keen to penalise challenges on the keeper earlier, the goal was allowed to stand and Wealdstone had the luxury of further misses from Beckford, Carter and James Duncan before the final whistle saw them into the play-off game.
Harrow Times – Steve Paull
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