Wealdstone 2 – 2 Barking & East Ham Utd
Wealdstone2 - 2
Barking up the wrong tree
A below par showing from Wealdstone against opposition that rarely threatened without the home side making mistakes, but there were plenty to take advantage of.
Stones started well but poor finishing in the first few minutes saw the score remain even, Marvin Morgan causing problems for the visiting defence in his first start of the season. As the half wore on, Wealdstone became ragged at times with their passing, allowing the Barking forwards to get into the game, while at the other end, Ramsey and Salmon coped with all Stones had to offer, only half chances being created.
On 35 minutes, Barking broke through a flat midfield and Deadman, caught as last man brought down Black to concede a penalty which Moody scored giving the visitors a somewhat fortunate lead.
There was worse to come as two minutes later Black again rode a challenge from Tucker and drawing Carter as the last man slotted home the second goal. Stones at least battled for the remainder of the half, and created more, Shaw, Hammatt and Tilbury all seeing shots pass just the wrong side of the woodwork, but on 44 minutes, Lamb forced a corner which he took himself, Walker heading the ball home from 12 yards to give Stones hope.
The second half was entirely bossed by Stones, forcing Barking to defend in numbers, trying to use the pace of Vickers on the breakaway whenever the opportunity arose, but these chances were limited and the Wealdstone defence cleared their lines better than in recent games.
At the other end two excellent double saves, the first from Hammatt and Deadman when Hammatt’s shot was parried and the second when a snap shot from Tilbury was blocked, the ball returning to him only for the second attempt to be pushed away seemed to be keeping Barking in front but 67 minutes, Hammatt received the ball wide, cut inside and his volley defected off an outstretched leg to give the goalkeeper no chance for Stones equaliser.
Despite the pressure, Wealdstone created only half chances and the Barking defence remained firm to earn a share of the points. Not a good performance but at least an improvement on recent matches.
Wealdstone: Andy Carter, Robin Tucker, Fergus Moore, Lee walker (44, b70, s85 Robert Connelley), John Deadman, Paul lamb, Vinny Somers (s72 Ricky Pither), Jason Shaw, Marvin Morgan, Bryan Hammatt (67, s80 Tunji Bamgbola), Danny Tilbury.