Northwood 2 – 1 Wealdstone
Northwood2 - 1
WealdstoneThe match started with two sides looking far more nervous than one might expect, and with Stones disjointed at the back struggling to clear the early advances from the home side.
It was Wealdstone though who took the lead on five minutes when good work from Morgan saw him break past the defence to collec the ball out wide and he knocked a low cross to the unmarked Swaysland on the penalty spot. Mickie’s first touch was awful though but it did enough to allow home skipper Chris Gell to slot the ball neatly past his own goalkeeper.
Two minutes later and he was involved at the other end as his cross was headed back across the six yard box by Moore and Rene Street headed home the equaliser from close range.
On sixteen minutes, with both sides seemingly suffering from to much Christmas Pud, Courtnage seemed to be bundled off the ball by Nolan. The Referee awarded the free kick and as Courtnage went to stand up, Nolan trod on his hand and then flicked his foot towards Courtnage’s face. This was spotted by the assistant referee and after a brief discussion, Nolan was dismissed.
It should have given Stones the impetus, but it did exactly the opposite. Northwood took the game to the Stones and they didn’t know how to cope, resorting to long clearances and breakaways.
To add a little invention, Mapes came on for O’Reagan, but this also had little effect, though Stones held out till half time.
Losing Matt Carvell at half time further weakened Stones defence, now with six players missing, and Jason Shaw was called into the back line to cover with Danny Tilbury coming on in midfield. This gave Northwood a great height advantage and they were soon to exploit it, as only two minutes into the half Gell scored what turned out to be the winner with a header at the far post.
Stones did battle on and started to get on top of the game, but it was not going to be their day as Carl Hunt failed to connect twice with crosses going across the face of the goal. Morgan, Mapes and Swaysland also saw efforts saved by the home keeper, and Dave Ryan saw two efforts whistle just wide.
It was not a good performance by any means and Stones will have to do much better if they are to keep involved in the promotion race, injuries or not.
Wealdstone:Andy Carter, James Fisher, Rob Courtnage (s54 Carl Hunt), Gulad Adan, Matt Carvell (s45 Danny Tilbury), Martin Carter, Dave Ryan, Jason Shaw, Mickie Swaysland, Marvin Morgan, Joe O’Reagan (s31 Charlie Mapes), (og5) Subs not used: Tyronne Hercules, Jermaine Beckford