Met Police 1 – 2 Wealdstone
Metropolitan Police2R
1 - 2 (AET)
WealdstoneTwo down but not out!
People often say that there is a ‘special’ atmosphere around Cup football, and in this competition at least, Wealdstone certainly seem to be creating one of their own! After scoring five goals in extra time to win the last round, they preceded to win this match with only nine players after two had been sent off.
Stones started with a very young line-up, injuries and suspensions meaning that six regulars were unavailable, but they played some excellent football early on, slick accurate passing and speed going forward causing problems for the home defence, although they were unable to break the deadlock as ‘Police defended well and stones forwards did not make the most of their chances, both Chamberlin and Morgan missing from close in.
As the half wore on Met Police settled more into their game and they too began to cause problems, Carter making two excellent saves and ensuring that the half time score remained 0-0.
The second half started in similar vein, both sides attacking well but failing to break their duck, until on 61 minutes, Morgan was fouled in the penalty box and Lee walker stepped up to take the kick. Unfortunately for the Stones, the kick was well saved by Thompson. Six minutes later and a strange decision was to change the course of the match. A forward collided with Moore as he knocked the ball out of play and he was pushed away as both sides then lined up for a Wealdstone goal kick. The Linesman then flagged and indicated a free kick to Stones. The referee went and spoke to the linesman and to everyone’s surprise awarded a penalty, booking Andy Carter for protesting. The linesman had not indicated the penalty as at no time did he hold his flag across his chest as he should, so we have to assume he was as surprised at the decision.
The kick was duly scored by Cormack. Moore then shouted in frustration, not directed at anyone, only for the Referee to him and send him off ! This seemed to galvanize the ten men’s spirit however and from the kick off Stones forced a save from the home keeper. Some seven minutes later though and Stones were level, a cross from Morgan was met by substitute Bamgbola who headed the equaliser from close range.
Despite both sides having chances, Carters saves and the woodwork twice ensured that the match went to extra time, Stones by now on the back foot as the Met pressed home their 1 man advantage. This was the story of the first period as well, as Met Police again hit the post and Carter was forced to tip over a long range strike, but the second period was a different story.
Five minutes into the half, Walker was adjudged to have fouled a forward and received his second yellow card for dissent reducing Stones to nine men. With everyone expecting the Alamo’ Met police did not disappoint as they put the Stone goal under siege, but on 118 minutes, Tilbury played the ball forward to Bamgbola, his run took him to the edge of the box where he struck a good low shot that the home keeper could only parry and excellent reaction from Carl Hunt saw him run in and slide the ball home to give Stones a 2 – 1 victory.
Wealdstone: Andy Carter (b65), Matt Perry, Fergus Moore (s/o 69), Lee Walker (b61, s/o 110), Danny reeve, Ricky Pither (s114 Carl Hunt, 118), Vinny Somers (s68 Paul Lamb), Richard McDonnagh (s68 Tunji Bamgbola, 75), Terry Chamberlin, Marvin Morgan, Danny Tilbury.