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