Harlow Town 0 – 1 Wealdstone
Harlow Town0 - 1
WealdstoneStones took the initiative early on in this match and could have gone ahead in the first two minutes when Marvin Morgan headed over from close range, but in blustery conditions on a hard pitch, they struggled to make the territorial advantage tell, although a Carter effort did hit the crossbar.
Despite having far more possession and forcing the home side back, chances were limited at both ends as defenders coped better than forwards with the conditions. Marvin Morgan and Richard Jolly caused problems for the home defence, but not enough to create a breakthrough, while Carvell and Tucker were well supported by Graves and Fisher in breaking down the home side.
It wasn’t until ten minutes into the second half that Stones scored the only goal, when a twenty yard effort from Williams bounced late and did enough to deceive the home goalkeeper.
The remainder of the game saw Wealdstone remain on top but creating little while Harlow were limited to two chances, both of which went across the face of goal with no-one to apply the final touch.
With Wealdstone’s hoodoo at Harlow finally broken after thirty odd years, there were some very wide smiles at the end of the game!
Wealdstone: Andy Carter, James Fisher, Matt Graves, Robin Tucker, Matt Carvell, Martin Carter, Tommy Williams (55), Richard Jolly, Jason Shaw, Marvin Morgan, Danny Tilbury, Subs not used: Rob Courtnage, Mark Burgess, Billy Amarteifio, Mickie Swaysland, Dave Ryan
Harlow Town 0 – 1 Wealdstone
Harrow Times – Simon Clementson
A goal from a much maligned midfielder Tommy Williams gave Wealdstone their first ever Ryman league win at Harlow, and set up the Stones for a
rousing end of season finale.
How the team must be ruing the run of injuries to key defenders at the crucial time of the season, that saw the Stones fall spectacularly out of the promotion, indeed championship, race, now having to finish the season as also rans.
With the majority of the defence restored to fitness, the understanding among players has improved and performances are again on the up.
Not that this game was a classic, far from it. The cold windy conditions bone hard pitch and lack of atmosphere saw to that, but Stones looked in control for long periods and could have easily have scored more.
As early as the second minute Marvin Morgan headed over, unable to get above a ball that bounced higher than normal.
Chances were few, Martin Carter’s corner was touched onto the bar and Morgan again was off target. For the home side a hopeful toe-poke well wide from Frendo and an off target effort from Cowley were all they managed.
In the second period Danny Tilbury hit a dipping volley just over before the only goal came on 55 minutes when an out-of-the-blue 25 yard strike from Tommy Williams bounced just in front of startled keeper Kalli, who could only deflect the ball into the roof of the net.
Naturally after this the home side pressed with a lot more purpose for the equaliser almost immediately the unmarked Harrold heading a corner over showed their intent.
But Stones defended well and Dorrian’s low cross along the six yard line that nobody got a touch too was the nearest they came to scoring in the final half hour, whereas the hash Morgan and Richard Jolly made of a two on one opening after McNally’s miskick was a much better opportunity Jolly finally scooping the wicked bouncing ball over.
Wealdstone won’t mind though, having finally secured a victory at one of their unlucky grounds.