Leyton Pennant 1- 2 Wealdstone
Leyton Pennant1 - 2
WealdstoneTo say that Stones ground out the result here doesn’t really tell the story of the match.
A bright start saw Leyton Pennant forced deep into their own half, but despite the pressure Stones couldn’t get the early breakthrough, until Carl Hunt was bundled over in the box and Mickie Swaysland struck the 9th minute penalty home.
Stones continued to press but Leyton Pennant hustled and closed them down at every opportunity limiting the chances in the game although as the half progressed, Leyton pushed further forward. Forcing a corner and a couple of free kicks, they equalised when a long cross found Shaw who headed home on 34 minutes.
Stones were forced back for the remainder of a poor half and the second half continued in similar vein, Leyton Pennant going close on a number of occasions early in the half as Stones struggled to compete.
As the half wore on Stones attitude saw them battle back into the game, and dominance of the possession in the last twenty minutes saw Leyton again forced back. A number of niggling fouls as the home side were put under pressure saw the referee book three players with a seasonal Satsuma like orange card, and from one of these fouls, Stones scored the winner.
Swaysland was fouled just outside the box and a well delivered free kick fell to a stretching Marvin Morgan in the six yard box.
His touch meant that the home keeper could only get his fingertips to the ball on the way into the net, sealing the points from a game that was never a classic.
Wealdstone: Andy Carter, James Fisher (s60 Joe O’Reagan), Danny White (s67 Danny Tilbury), Charlie Mapes, Matt Carvell, Martin Carter, Dave Ryan, Jason Shaw, Mickie Swaysland (9), Marvin Morgan (82), Carl Hunt (s81 Jermaine Beckford) Sub not used: Fred Cummins
Harrow Times Steve Paull
Leyton Pennant 1 Wealdstone 2
It’s a well used cliche that when a team doesn’t play well and wins, that’s the mark of a championship winning side. Wealdstone were never quite firing on all cylinders in this game that was played at a frantic pace for long periods, but pulled off another important win against committed opponents, writes Steve Paull.
Stones took the lead after eight minutes. James Fisher’s cross from the right found Carl Hunt at the far post. Slipping the ball past wing-back Bristow, he was brought down. Mick Swaysland despatched the penalty.
The equaliser came after 37 minutes, a long throw from the right was nodded on to Shaw who headed past Andy Carter.
Gradually though, Stones regained the ascendancy. An excellent move involving Marvin Morgan and Swaysland led to Hunt firing wide with only keeper Goodman to beat, then Swaysland met Charlie Mapes’s free-kick five yards from goal but somehow the keeper kept the header out.
Just when it seemed a draw was the likely result Dave Ryan headed on another free kick to where Morgan was able to force the ball in.
A last ditch onslaught from the home side never materialised and Stones nearly increased their lead when Goodman fumbled a mishit shot.