Wealdstone 1 – 1 Slough Town

Wealdstone

1 - 1

Slough Town

KO: 0:00 | Fri 18th Mar ’05

Stones hosted this fixture in support of the Kick Out racism campaign as a trial Friday Night fixture and in front of a crowd of 444 both sides put on a spirited and entertaining performance.

Wealdstone went into the game missing Carvell, Burrell, McKeown and Morton, but were pleased to welcome back Robin Tucker albeit in an unusual left wing back slot, and Tom Champion who passed a fitness test before the match, while Slough would have been at full strength had Allway and Daly not missed the ground and continued up the A41 arriving only minutes before the kick off!

Stones started brightly and created an early chance for Beckford, while at the other end Carter saved from Murphy, then on 14 minutes, a sweet ball forward from Jason Shaw allowed Jolly to get in behind the Slough defence and despite an attempted block from Saulsbury, Jolly shot home to give Stones the lead.

It was only to last five minutes though, as under pressure, Stones only half cleared an effort from Murphy and the ball returned to him to slot home from ten yards.

The game changed on 21 minutes when Beckford was brought down by Hodges, and as the players faced up to each other, Beckford struck out, apparently in retaliation to the slough player spitting at him, but the referee had no option but to send Beckford off, booking Hodges for the original challenge. It gave Slough the advantage in terms of numbers and saw Stones forced to defend for the majority of the rest of the half – Slough should have taken the lead on 40 minutes when a break saw Murphy again involved as his shot cannoned off the crossbar, but Stones held out until half time.

Gordon Bartlett changed his formation at half time replacing Jason Shaw with Ben Alexander as Stones took the game to their opponents – Alexander unlucky not to score with his first touch as he latched onto a through ball from Jolly, only to see his shot beat the keeper but go wide.

The second half was played at great pace with both sides having plenty of the action, though neither created many clear cut chances – Wealdstone perhaps just shading ahead on attempts on goal, but the score remained the same, finishing 1 – 1 with the points shared.

Harrow Times – Steve Paull

ONE flashpoint, 20 minutes into last Friday’s Ryman League clash, defined this game.

Wealdstone striker Jermaine Beckford was crudely hacked down by Slough’s Hodges and was spat at in the inevitable melee that followed.

Naturally, Beckford was incensed and sought physical revenge.

Referee Thiarra had no option but to send him off, ignoring the spittle on Beckford’s sleeve. Hodges was merely cautioned for his part in the ugly incident Before this, two goals arrived in quick succession. Jason Shaw’s ball forward found Richard Jolly on the edge of the box. The diminutive striker, held off the close attentions of Saulsbury, and shot past Slough keeper Parkin to put Stones in front.

Once again, a poor defensive header was the reason for a goal conceded by Wealdstone.

Five minutes after Stones took the lead, a weak clearance allowed Murphy to prod past Andy Carter to level.

A man short after Beckford’s departure, Wealdstone were forced on the defensive for long periods against a Slough side that had been lively from the kick off.

The visitors pushed Seedel into an advanced role where he excelled, hitting the bar with one effort and twice being denied by Carter’s alert keeping.

But Wealdstone could have scored too: Robin Tucker had a header cleared off the line and, with the second half just a minute old, Ben Alexander, who had been on the pitch for that length of time, missed an excellent opportunity.

Alas Jolly’s superb pass was wasted when Alexander fired wide as Parkin advanced.

The half progressed in similar fashion, Slough having the bulk of possession and Wealdstone looking dangerous in their isolated breakaways.

Miller’s dipping volley skimmed Carter’s bar ten minutes from time and Carbon went close moments later, but Wealdstone’s gallant ten battled resolutely and richly deserved their point.