Ford United 2 – 1 Wealdstone
Ford United2 - 1
WealdstoneDisappointment at Ford
Wealdstone failed to make the most of early chances at Ford, home keeper Jimmy Chapman saving twice with his hands and three times with his legs in the opening ten minutes as Wealdstone broke forward from the kick off.
The stalemate continued although Ford too had chances, Carter doing well in the Wealdstone goal in a match where the defences came to the fore in the first period.
At half time it remained 0 – 0 although it could have been two or three each. The second half started with Ford making more of their height and weight advantage, and Stones were on the back foot from the kick off until Ford opened the scoring on 56 minutes, a long cross finding Aransiba, who headed the home side into the lead.
Stones battled well and on 62 forced a corner, the cross was headed to the back of the six yard box where a bicycle kick from Horner came back off the bar before being cleared for another corner, this time Carter rose at the front post and headed in the equaliser.
Stones failed to capitalise in the next few minutes despite Tilbury and Somers creating chances and it was Ford that scored their second goal on 72 minutes, Read collecting the ball wide and riding two challenges before shooting low past Carter into the corner of the net.
Stones lack of a finish in front of goal, worsened by having to start the match without a recognised forward on the field proved costly. With Hammatt and Morgan injured and Pither and Bamgbola only able to start on the bench, Stones needed a little luck in front of goal which they didn’t have.
Wealdstone: Andy Carter, Matt Perry, Fergus Moore, John Deadman, Richard Horner, Paul Lamb (s80 Ricky Pither), Vinny Somers, Jason Shaw, Richard McDonnagh (b79, s80 Olatunji Bamgbola), Martin Carter (62), Danny Tilbury, Sub not used: Terry Chamberlin.