Wealdstone 0 – 2 Maldon Town
Wealdstone
0 - 2
Maldon Town
Harrow Times
Wealdstone 0 – 2 Maldon Town 2
By Steve Paull
WEALDSTONE slumped to the 13th home defeat of another deeply frustrating season against Maldon on Friday last week.
Although five points clear of the dreaded fourth relegation spot, Stones have returned to playing so poorly it is difficult to see where the next goal will come from.
The similarities with last season’s dreadful run in and final day escape are clear.
Against any side that allows Wealdstone to play a little, they show they have quite a lot of ability.
But when faced with a side like Maldon who were prepared to run and close down throughout the 90 minutes, they become little more than a rabble.
Maldon, who are even lower than Stones in the table, were prepared to work hard from the outset.
With two old stagers in Portway and Lee they had strikers who could eke out a goal. Maldon bossed the game from the outset and scored in the 11th minute of a dreadful first half when Portway hooked in a right wing cross on the volley.
From then on Maldon pressed forward and Stones picked up the scraps. They didn’t manage a shot at goal in the entire half.
In a remarkable about turn, for the starting ten minutes of the second half it looked odds on that Stones would equalise. Maldon were definitely wobbling as three golden chances were squandered.
First, John Christian failed to bundle over the line an immaculate low cross from Francino Francis. Matt Miller then twice failed when one-on-one with keeper Gould. On the first occasion and on his weaker side the keeper made a smothering save and five minutes later, on the stronger side, Miller’s effort was sliced into the side netting.
And with that flurry of activity Stones’ chances faded as Maldon regained control, culminating in a second goal ten minutes from time. Huttley took a free kick won by Lee at the far post where the header looped across goal to nestle in the net at the far corner.
Gould had to make one more smart save from a Josh Cooper effort but Stones were well beaten.
You must be logged in to post a comment.