Wealdstone 1 – 0 Worthing

Wealdstone

1 - 0

Worthing

KO: 0:00 | Sat 14th Aug ’04

It was a nervy start from Stones which was no surprise after their Pre Season results, and this was made more-so as Manager Gordon Bartlett plunged new signings Danny Wolf and Chris Cahill into the starting line-up in the centre of defence knowing that they had not played together in pre-season.

Stones weathered the early Worthing pressure and after about 15 minutes started to play a little themselves, forcing Worthing to defend as some slick passing saw Stones progress upfield. In fact it was Wealdstone that had the first real effort on goal after 25 minutes when Jolly rose well to meet a cross, heading just wide. As the half wore on Stones had more and more of the possession and Williams, Burrell Ryan and Morgan all forced saves from the visiting keeper, although none had really troubled him, while at the other end, Worthing’s forwards seemed happy to take long shots which were rarely on target and posed no threat, Stones defence dealing comfortably with anything closer to goal. Stones had overall just shaed the first half but the score remained 0 – 0.

The second half saw both sides line up ready to kick off when the Worthing management chose to make a substitution before the kick off was taken, Pulling coming on to replace Hawkins who had lined up on the far side of the field, oblivious to the fact he was to be replaced! The half started and followed a similar pattern to the first with early pressure from Worthing but this was soon quelled as Stones again found their stride and after a couple of early forays into the visitors penalty box, Stones got a breakthrough on 55 minutes. Carter collected the ball just inside the box and as he turned to chip in a cross the ball struck Holmes on the arm and the referee had no hesitation in awarding a penalty. Up stepped Gary McKeown to open his and Stones account for the season.

Stones could have had another penalty just a few minutes later when Jolly was pulled back in the box but this was not given and this seemed to spark Worthing into playing with a little more urgency as they forced Stones back on numerous occasions, but the home defence held firm getting bodies between ball and goal as required and Andy Carter clearing up behind them. Stones did still manage the occasional foray forward, one in the 83rd minute saw Jolly break behind the defence where he was brought down outside the box by Packham, but the goalkeeper had little trouble with the resulting free-kick.

The last few moments could have seen either side score, but Stones ran out winners by 1-0 to start the season on a far higher note than was expected!