Wealdstone 1 – 2 Leyton

Wealdstone

1 - 2

Leyton

KO: 0:00 | Tue 14th Sep ’04

Having not seen recent games but having seen the reports I didn’t really know what to expect from a difficult home fixture against Leyton. Stones certainly started the more purposeful and played some good football creating a number of half chances in the first fifteen minutes, Jolly perhaps took one touch too many on one occasion while a shot from Gary McKeown was slightly over the bar with the ‘keeper well beaten just after.

Then, on 15 minutes, Dave Ryan left a long ball to run through to Andy Carter but the alert Williams read the move and ran on to collect the ball, round Carter and score and it was as though at that point someone turned off the confidence switch. Stones became somewhat ragged and the ball obviously too hot to hold as passes went astray. Losing Martin Carter a couple of minutes later signalled a change, but the defence still seemed to be able to cope with the chances Leyton were creating.

On 31 minutes they extended their lead when Andy Carter should possibly have called and collected a ball into the area – in stead Ryan only half made a headed clearance and Williams again was the grateful recipient. The remainder of the half was played out in an even tussle, both sides creating a half chance or two, but with little trouble for the defences.

The second half saw Stones start brighter and Leyton seemed to sit back a little. The visiting goalkeeper was by far the busier as McKeown, Ryan, Jolly, Tilbury and Morgan all had attempts on goal and Stones confidence seemed to rise as they felt there was a chance of recovery. This was heightened on 78 minutes when Bubb made another mazy run into the penalty area and this time was able to finish with a shot into the far corner to give Stones a little hope to go with their evident possessional advantage. Alexander created a chance for Tilbury that was well saved by Hassell and Alexander and jolly again were unlucky not to equalise but it wasn’t to be, Leyton winning 2 – 1 on the night. Six defeats in seven games perhaps do not tell the whole truth, as with only minor improvements from players Stones would be more than capable of competing at this level but those improvements must come very quickly before the points tally drops away at the bottom of the table.

Perhaps the ‘relief’ of an FA Cup match on Friday may take away some of the evident pressure and a good result there could inspire a little more confidence.

After all, a 2-1 home defeat to Leyton last year started a run that lead to Wealdstone qualifying for and winning the play-off…

Harrow Times Steve Spaull

Wealdstone 1 Leyton 2

ONLY a goal difference, but Leyton were good value for this win. The incredible speed of Williams was a constant threat to the Stones back-line all evening. The striker scored twice and could have had more were it not for Andy Carter’s agility in the Wealdstone goal and a little misfortune.

As on Saturday the early exchanges went Wealdstone’s way, and Gary McKeown’s 20 yard dipping strike only just cleared the bar, but also as on Saturday the opponent’s scored with their first chance-a static defence watched as Williams went right through its centre to round Carter and score after 13 minutes. Williams then miskicked in front of goal and Carter saved at the feet of Bajada.

The second Williams goal, just after the half hour, was close in from a narrow angle after another run had caused more defensive confusion.

In fact Williams could have had a first half hat-trick but was stopped by Carter once again saving with a dive at forward’s feet.

A slow second half, where Leyton retreated into their shell, saw Wealdstone get to grips with the task and, encouraged by the crowd, start to take the game to their opponents. In a spirited passage of play Stones finally put on pressure and keeper Hassell was called on to save efforts from Richard Jolly and Danny Tilbury and also dive at the feet of Jolly when he was put through by Tilbury’s superb threaded pass.

Alvin Bubb’s mazy run and strike did reduce the deficit giving Wealdstone ideas of a draw, but Leyton upped their game to counter any such thoughts- Bangura fired over with only Carter to beat and Williams again missed out on a hat-trick when his shot hit a post.