Wealdstone 0 – 0 Arlesey Town
Wealdstone0 - 0
Arlesey TownA footballing spectacle it certainly wasn’t but there was plenty to ‘entertain’ the crowd, as two sides with identical records met at the White Lion Ground.
Arlesey, always a strong side were more physical from the off, and a number of niggling fouls eventually restyled in a booking for Beavor in the 17th minute when he could well have been booked for any of three previous challenges, at this stage, Wealdstone limited to breakaways and two long range efforts on goal, neither causing a problem.
The remainder of the first half saw the only football played as both sides concentrated a little more on the ball, but despite some neat play, chances were limited and neither keeper was called into any real action.
Just a minute before half time, Arlesey thought they had taken the lead when the ball was knocked home from a corner, only the alert linesman seeing an arm that made the final contact and the goal was disallowed.
The second half saw Stones start a little brighter and they should have taken the lead on 55 minutes when good interplay between Morgan and Juliene saw the first release the ball on the edge of the box as he was fouled to the second, who was fouled as he received it – the referee immediately pointed to the spot, but Mickie Swaysland’s shot hit the bar and was cleared, the score remaining 0 – 0, and the visiting defender unpunished.
Five minutes later and it seemed Stones were to be awarded another penalty as Martin Carter was clattered in the box but the Referee felt that the defender had cleared the ball first and a corner was awarded which came to nothing.
On 73 minutes Arlesey again had the ball in the net from a free kick flicked on and headed home by Mitson, this time the same linesman again flagging, and this goal was ruled out for offside!
Four minutes later and Stones substitute Dave Ryan challenged Gutzmore and shielded the ball back to Andy Carter, eventually having to make a pass – as he did, both he and Gutzmore fell to the ground. The referee awarded a free kick and immediately dismissed Ryan apparently for a professional foul.
There was little else between the sides, although Stones almost stole the three points in the closing minutes when Rob Courtnage took a free kick – noticing that the visiting keeper was off his line, he tried his luck from 40 yards only for the ball again to strike the crossbar. As it fell Morgan, Williams and Tilbury all had opportunities to shoot, each time the shot was blocked, and the score remained 0-0, a fair result overall.
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