Mangotsfield 3 – 1 Wealdstone
Mangotsfield United3 - 1
WealdstoneStones lost keeper Lee Carroll to a red card on Saturday, but it was their own errors that lead to a 3-1 defeat away at Mangotsfield United.
Gordon Bartlett opted for a solid experienced line-up to start Stones return to the Southern League, but despite a bright start, it soon became evident that they were struggling to move the ball forward through midfield, leaving Papali and Gooderick up front with little service other than somewhat hopeful long balls, as the midfield played deeper and deeper.
Mangotsfield struggled to break through what had become a packed Stones half and offered little threat until a deep cross in the 14th minute sailed over Stones centre backs giving Warren a free header and Carroll no chance as the home side took the lead.
The remainder of the half was however pretty dire fair – playing too deeply, Stones struggled to create and when they did get the ball wide and forward the home side had defenders in abundance able to shut down the moves, though in attack Mangotsfield also struggled as Stones midfield and defence coped with their occasional foray’s forward.
The second half saw Stones push a little further forward, but there was again little of note until the 53rd minute. Zoricich played the ball back to Carroll, he cleared upfield as a home forward rushed in. As Carroll cleared he seemed to raise an arm – in protection rather than to strike as the forward continued his run – the players met, the forward dropped like a stone and the Referee gave the penalty. Worse was to come though, as the Referee then chose to consult his assistant and after a minute or so Carroll was also shown the red card. Stuart Bamford took over in goal and was unlucky not to save the penalty, it’s power just beating his grasp, but it left the home side 2-0 and one man to the good.
It seemed that this was just the spur Wealdstone needed as from the kick off they forced the home side back and within a minute they had pulled a goal back. Gooderick made a great run down the right hand side, used his strength to fend off a challenge and drove the ball into the box. A half clearance fell to Montgomery and he struck home from 12 yards to make the score 2-1.
Stones momentum continued and they gave the home side numerous problems – particularly Gooderick and Montgomery who came more and more into the game as the half progressed, and the introduction of Carl Martin in midfield saw Stones finally play some of the football they are capable of as his touch and ability gave the forwards more opportunity. Goodhall too, when introduced made some telling runs at the home defence as they backed off and cleared their lines in numbers.
Despite attempts from Edwards, who should have done better forcing his way through two defenders only to shoot at the ‘keeper, Montgomery who saw a shot go over the bar and Martin whose looping header landed on the roof of the net, Stones couldn’t find the equaliser and it was left to an error in the last minute to give the home side their third goal.
Stones were awarded a free kick just inside their own half. With everyone pushing forward for an equaliser, Zoricich miscued and hit the ball low to a home defender, his pass found Cornwall wide on the right unmarked and he ran to gaol. Carl Martin’s pace allowed him to get back and catch the home forward in the penalty box, and that was what he did – he challenged as the player turned, caught the player and not the ball, and a second penalty saw the home side score their third goal.
Certainly not the start that stones would have wanted, but some positives from the game none the less – the lessons must now be learnt before Tuesday night.
One final comment on the officials on the day, I’d have to say not what you’d expect and a total of nine bookings and a sending off in a game with only one really poor challenge seemed to mystify both sides and most of the people in the ground.
Wealdstone: Lee Carroll 53, Chris Zoricich, Fergus Moore 44, S76 Stuart Goodhall, Kevin Swift 88, Stuart Bamford, Gavin Bamford 45, John Christian S65 Carl Martin 66, Chris O’Leary, Dean Papali S72 Julian Edwards, Matt Gooderick, Graeme Montgomery 55. Subs Not Used: Lee Holland, Billy Sentence