Wealdstone 2 – 1 Hampton & Richmond Borough

Wealdstone

2 - 1

Hampton & Richmond Borough

KO: 0:00 | Tue 11th Jan ’05

And 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.