Tilbury 2 – 0 Wealdstone
Tilbury2 - 0
WealdstoneStones should have taken a comfortable half time lead in a first period that they totally dominated, but even with all their possession and the chances they created, they only called on home keeper Bell to make one save.
A number of shots from Swaysland, Morgan, Ryan, Mapes et al flew just wide or just over as increasingly it seemed it wouldn’t be Stones night. Tilbury defended in numbers for the first period and were reduced to long clearances to reduce the pressure, creating almost nothing of their own.
In the second half, the Stones started as brightly but a lapse in defence saw Tilbury score with their first attack, on 59 minutes. The ball was played over the Stones defence, Carvell failing to clear and a powerful run saw the ball played square to Okita who scored from ten yards. A minute later and a strange decision had a hand in changing the balance of the match.
Another break saw Tilbury press forward. As the ball ran through the box, Carter collected as the Tilbury forward was grounded. The Referee waved play on and then as Carter was about to clear the ball, he stopped the game and ran over to a frantically waving Assistant. A brief discussion resulted in a penalty and a booking for Carter. He saved the shot low down but the atmosphere had changed with Tilbury on a high and Stones flatfooted.
In the 80th minute the decision was made that finally shut Stones out of the game as they had again forced Tilbury back. Another ball into the Stones box was cleared. As play moved upfield, yet again the Assistant flagged wildly and again the Referee stopped the game to ‘visit’ his assistant. Again a penalty was awarded and this time, Tucker was sent off as the assistant had seen a punch thrown.
This time Jones made no mistake and Tilbury had gained a valuable victory emphasised by decisions that few in the ground had seen. despite that, Wealdstone had more then enough chances to seal the points in the first half, but if you don’t score, you don’t win.
Wealdstone: Andy Carter (b61), Danny White, Tyronne Hercules (s75 Rob Courtnage), Robin Tucker (s/o 80), Matt Carvell, Billy Amarteifio, Charlie Mapes (s63 Jermaine Beckford), Jason Shaw, Mick Swaysland, Marvin Morgan , Dave Ryan (s75 Danny Tilbury). Subs not used: David Godfrey, James Fisher