Wealdstone 1 – 1 Tonbridge Angels

Wealdstone

1 - 1

Tonbridge Angels

KO: 0:00 | Sat 9th Apr ’05

After dismal performances in their last two games, Stones manager Gordon Bartlett made a number of changes today – some enforced through injury (Carl Martin and Laurie Stewart) and other by choice as he tried to hammer home the message that we are not safe yet.

From the start it was a brighter performance as Stones tried to break down a Tonbridge side who had plainly come not to concede and were content to launch the ball forward to Steve Sodje who must have been offside almost once a minute for the first hour!

Burrell and Jolly both created early half chances but visiting custodian Turner was a match for these when required and this was the story of the afternoon as Stones could have scored three or four.

Their goal did come just after the half hour when Burrell again made a good run forward and his delicate cross found the head of Alexander, his flick enough to beat Turner in the air and the ball found the far corner of the net.

So the score remained until half time, Turner again preventing Jolly from adding to the total and the second half followed in a similar vein. It wasn’t until the visitors introduced Piscina on the hour that their pattern changed, and he made a few forays forward, though Carter still hadn’t had a save to make when Tonbridge equalised.

A misplaced pass gave Tonbridge a throw, and quickly taken it caught Stones on the back foot. As Tucker went to clear on 12 yards, the ball bobbled up and struck him, and bounced out to Piscina who slotted home the equaliser from 12 yards on 78 minutes.

If there was to be a winner from this point it looked more likely to be Wealdstone as Turner again saved well from Jolly and Alexander, but the score remained 1-1 and the points shared.

Harrow Times – Steve Paull

THE point won for this draw lessened still further the already remote possibility of Wealdstone being relegated but, one again, the standard of performance was very poor and once again the visitors to the White Lion Ground dominated proceedings for long periods.

It was not a performance as dire as at Northwood last week, but it seems as though Wealdstone cannot wait for this season to end.

Changes were made, most notably in midfield with the introduction of Danny Tilbury and Gary McKeown, but the end result was not much of an improvement.

Wealdstone’s opponents still camp on the edge of the Wealdstone area for periods of time where it seems like they are being challenged to break through and score if they can.

Tonbridge, being in the bottom four and almost certain to drop, were not very good at it.

Tom Champion, who is looking like an excellent, albeit loan, signing held the defence together, and with a series of timely tackles and interceptions kept the visitors off the scoresheet.

Andy Carter had only two first half efforts of note to save, from May and Sodje, before the frustrated Tonbridge side resorted to long range efforts, usually off target.

Wealdstone had barely produced a shot at goal before they scored on the half hour mark.

Gary Burrell, who seemed completely out of sorts in this game, did put a teasing ball into the box where Ben Alexander got to it before advancing keeper Turner and defenders for a flick header that looped into the unguarded net.

After the break Wealdstone played better and Dave Ryan was unlucky not to be able to force the ball over the line following a goalmouth scramble.

Powerful shots from Richard Jolly and Alexander brought out diving saves from Turner and things looked set for a Wealdstone victory.

That was until one unfortunate break and one moment of opportunism levelled the scores.

A cross in from the right in the 75th minute looked harmless enough but such was its trajectory that Robin Tucker could only nudge it a few yards away with his thigh. Luke Piscina was on the loose ball in a flash and the 20 yard shot that immediately followed beat Carter’s acrobatic dive.

Desperate for the win to help in their relegation dogfight, Tonbridge went all out for the win as Wealdstone returned to their first half shell.

Only once, in truth, did the visitors get close to achieving that victory when Piscina’s injury time shot went into the side netting but even then. Carter had it covered.