Wealdstone 1 – 2 Staines Town
Wealdstone
1 - 2
Staines TownVery much a game of two halves today, Staines running out winners by 2-1, though Stones had taken the lead and perhaps deserved to get something out of the game for effort alone.
For 45 minutes from the start, Staines forced Wealdstone to play almost entirely in their own half and often in their own penalty area, and new goalkeeper Gelnn Jackson made a couple of crucial saves to ensure that the scores remained level.
Stones were limited to occasional breakaways, but did at least manage to create chances from these as Beckford and Jolly both saw shots saved, while Ursell dwelled a little too long before shooting, having the ball taken off his toe midway through the half.
The second half saw a change around, as Stones attacked from the break and took the lead on 48 minutes when Jermaine Beckford back-headed a Lee Chappell long throw into the far corner of the net. Stones continued to push forward and had chances to extend their lead through Beckford and Jolly, but on both occasions Allaway saved well.
Ross White set Rob Ursell free but Rob tried to beat one man too many before getting his shot away and like ion the first half was robbed before on 78 minutes an excellent drive from some 20 yards by King saw Staines equalise.
From that point on, they forced Stones further and further back, and though stones back line coped well, the pressure never abated. Stones young side put in a tremendous amount of effort and defended in numbers while still trying to create going forward, but it was misfortune that gave Staines the winning goal as a Stones defender cleared from his goal line, but only to Jamie Guy who shot home from12 yards in the 88th minute.
For the second game in a week Stones suffered in the last few minutes despite their best efforts, but the telling quote was a comment made by a Staines Official after the game – the second goal had cost him £1500 in win bonuses – more than the whole Wealdstone budget….
Wealdstone: Glen Jackson, Lee Holland, Lee Chappell, Ross White, Dave Ryan, Andy Keepence, Kenny Beaney, Rob Ursell (s78 Phil Turner), Jermaine Beckford, Richard Jolly, Gary Burrell, Subs not used: Louis Lancaster, Carl Ashton, Josh Cooper, Luke Woods.