Wealdstone 2 – 1 Hampton & Richmond Borough
Wealdstone
2 - 1
Hampton & Richmond BoroughAnd so the topsy turvey season continues with a 2-1 home win against Hampton, who have spent almost all of the season so far in the top six. Stones are now 10th, four or five points off of a play-off place and half a dozen above relegation as the top two and bottom two drift away from the rest of the table!
Hampton started the brighter and forced Stones back early on in the game, using the flanks well to get in behind Wealdstone and causing one or two hearts to flutter before they were awarded a penalty on 12 minutes, Dave Ryan tripping Ashe as he ran into the area, although the ball was well out of range. Ashe stepped up to take the kick and scored to give the visitors the lead.
As the half wore on Stones began to settle and play some excellent football, and they were unlucky not to equalise through Beckford (twice) Williams and Jolly, although Hampton could have extended their lead having another goal ruled out for offside, but on 39 minutes excellent work and a great finish from Beckford on the end of a James Fisher cross saw the Stones on level terms.
The second half was more even in the early stages – it wasn’t until about the 65th minute that either side had a shot as O’Leary shot low for Stones forcing a good save. Their was plenty of good football on show but two defences working better in the second half than the first soaked up the pressure.
That was until Jermaine Beckford chased down a ball on the bye-line, cut inside and crossed to Richard Jolly. He too collected the ball on the bye-line and cut it back to James Fisher who’s low shot Gary McKeown toe ended into the net beyond the visiting keeper.
It was a result that Stones just about deserved on the performance as Hampton’s woe’s away from home continue, having won only once in the league away in 12 attempts.
Harrow Times – Steve Spaull
WEALDSTONE continued their mid-table consolidation after Gary McKeown scored the winner three minutes from time.
In a lively opening ten minutes, the quicksilver Jermaine Beckford could have had a hat-trick. He was twice denied by somewhat fortuitous defending and once by his own lack of concentration, firing wide when the goal was gaping.
Wealdstone paid for this soon after, when Dave Ryan tangled with Forde in the box. The referee deemed it a penalty, which Hampton’s Ashe duly converted.
This rocked Stones and for a period they looked very frail defensively. Gradually, their composure returned and the game, though never dull, became a midfield scrap of few chances.
One of these fell to Beckford five minutes before the break and he made no mistake, latching onto James Fisher’s far post cross to beat Hampton keeper Drake and level the scores.
Goal-scoring chances were sparse after the re-start. Tommy Williams and Lee O’Leary went close and Forde made a hash of a one-on-one with Andy Carter.
Carl Martin, the star of Wealdstone’s FA Youth cup-tie at Anfield, was given his league debut in the final 20 minutes and, with some clever touches, showed he has no fears about performing at a higher level.
Wealdstone grabbed the winner three minutes from the death. A powerful run and cross from Beckford found Richard Jolly at the far post who laid it back to Fisher. His cross-cum-shot moved the ball goalwards for Gary McKeown to score a rare goal, bundling home from close range.
In a tense finish, Hampton’s Ulasi blazed an excellent chance high and wide, denying them the draw they probably deserved.
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