Fisher Athletic 2 – 1 Wealdstone
Fisher Athletic London
2 - 1
WealdstoneWealdstone’s young side travelled to Dulwich Hamlet tonight for a match against the tenants, Fisher Athletic, with most fans looking at the game thinking anything Stones got would be a bonus with the hosts riding high in the table.
Certainly for the fist quarter of an hour, one or two of Stones young side seemed to be in awe of their experienced, strong and quick opponents, but as the half progressed they settled more into their game and created enough to worry the home side.
Woods in goal made a couple of crucial saves erly on and Lee Chappell was called upon to twice head clear from under the bar in a matter of minutes, though Stones too could have opened the scoring when a quick break by Gary Burrell released Richard Jolly out wide and his deep cross was met at full tilt by Jermaine Beckford, his volley no more than a foot wide from 15 yards.
It was the home side that broke the deadlock on 26 minutes when Scannel broke wide and beat hios man on the bye-line. He cut into the box and drove a cross to Watts who scored with a low drive from 12 yards. Stones continued to battle and came forward again, regularly winning free kicks some 35-40 yards from goal as Lovell and Smith were penalised. Variations were tried and from one kick taken by Ross White, Richard Jolly stole in front of Packham in the home goal, his first time effort again just wide of the post.
The second half saw Stones adjust their formation going to a 4-4-2 and this seemed to give them more control in midfield, White and Beaney creating more for the forwards and Jolly, Beckford and White all had opportunities to equalise before Fisher extended their lead with a rare attack on 65 minutes. The attack resulted in a corner and a misunderstanding in Stones young defence allowed space at the far post where the home forward made no mistake from inside the six yard box. It was a rare sign of inexperience from a Stones side with only four players over 21!
As the half progressed Stones continued to press forward, the home side making changes to their side to try and force the play their way, but for each change Stones were able to re-adjust and cope. It was a change from the Stones side though that brought about Stones goal, as Graham Montgomery was replaced on the left side, Phil Turner coming on to play wide right as Wealdstone adjusted again to 4-3-3. He received a quick pass from Lee Holland and broke forward beating his man before swinging a deep cross to Richard Jolly who made no mistake from 14 yards on 84 minutes.
This galvanised Stones and they pushed forward causing the fish to defend in numbers. A corner was conceded and as it swung in, Lee Chappell was pushed in the box and a penalty awarded on 88 minutes. Up stepped Richard Jolly but his shot was saved by the feet of Packham and Turner under pressure was unable to keep the rebound under control, heading over. It was a disappointing end and a disappointing result, but a performance that was anything but disheartening.
Wealdstone: Luke Woods, Lee Holland, Lee Chappell, Ross White, Dave Ryan, Louis Lancaster, Kenny Beaney, Graeme Montgomery (s 72 Phil Turner), Jermaine Beckford, Richard Jolly, Gary Burrell, Subs not used: Andy Keepence, Carl Ashton, Josh Cooper.