Wealdstone 2 – 3 Harefield United
Wealdstone2R
2 - 3
Harefield UnitedSeven changes from Saturday’s line-up was too much to cope with for Wealdstone last night as they lost against Harefield United in the Middlesex Charity Cup, 2-3.
There was plenty of effort, but the side lacked the cohesion and the teamwork that had been shown in re ent games as a number of the ‘squad’ and players not included in recent games got 90 minutes under their belt – important for them and the club with forthcoming matches in mind.
Stones though did create the first opportunity of the evening as Turner got behind the visitors defence as early as the 8th minute, but he was fouled from behind on the edge of the penalty area – a free kick was given but there was no card for the defender much to the surprise of the fans in a sparse crowd.
The referee excelled himself some minutes later when awaiting a throw in, Jermaine Beckford was elbowed in the face – after treatment the referee chose to speak to both players involved and no more, but better was to come in the second half……
Harefield took the lead on 27 minutes when they broke forward, a cross was met by Windle and his effort was cleared off the line, only to fall to Jordan who scored from 4 yards. Early in the second half Harefield were awarded a penalty when Tucker was adjudged to have tripped an on-rushing forward and Jordan stepped up to make the score 2-0.
Substitutions, those of Ursell and White for Holland and Montgomery, and a reshuffle of the side gave Stones more heart on the hour, and within minutes one goal had been pulled back. White’s ball released Turner and as he ran into the penalty area he was brought down by the visiting keeper. A penalty was awarded, the only further penalty being the keeper sent to his goal line to prepare for it, though it was duly despatched by Beckford.
Stones were pressing forward at this point – though Harefield did break out on occasion, Woods and the Stones defence dealt well with the threat – Stones scored an equaliser on 83 minutes when Beckford again rose to head home Burrell’s corner for 2-2.
With the clock ticking down and everyone anticipating extra time on a cold night, the Referee again intervened, as Jordan broke forward for Harefield. Woods rushed out from his goal-line and took the opportunity to punch the ball away, his and the forward’s momentum then seeing the players collide. The Referee had produced a yellow card for the offence before he had even awarded the penalty so fast was he to react, yet there was no doubt in anyone’s mind that Woods had taken the ball first. Questioned afterwards, the Referee commented that “It was the force at which he came out…..” while neither assistant agreed with the decision.
It stood on the night however and up stepped Jordan to complete his hat-trick and win the tie for Harefield to continue their successful season.
Wealdstone: Luke Woods, Lee Holland (s61 Ross White), Louis Lancaster, Robin Tucker, Andy Keepence (s74 Gary Burrell), Josh Cooper, Kenny Beaney, Graham Montgomery (s61 Rob Ursell), Jermaine Beckford, Phil Turner, Carl Ashton, Sub not Used: Luke Smith.
Harrow Times – Steve Paull
THE first of three cup ties over successive Tuesdays saw Wealdstone exit the Middlesex Charity Cup at the first hurdle.
Harefield displayed all the confidence of a table-topping, albeit Spartan South Midlands League, side.
Chances were limited in a quiet first half. Harefield buzzed about, breaking up the play wherever possible, while Stones struggled to get their passing going.
Jermaine Beckford was especially listless in the first period, not having his usual strike partner Richard Jolly to feed off.
There was one goal, however, in this opening period.
Harefield’s Richardson nodded the ball down and Jordan rifled it in from close range on 24 minutes.
Stones only chance of note fell to Josh Cooper but the diminutive midfielder was unable to get sufficient contact on the ball.
With the second half four minutes old Wealdstone went further behind when Andy Keepence fouled Yeoman in the penalty area and Jordan sent Woods the wrong way from the spot kick.
The introduction of Ross White and Robert Ursell was the signal for Stones to stage a comeback. The pair had not been on the pitch for more than two minutes when Phil Turner was brought down by former Stones keeper Nathan Cobb and Jermaine Beckford smashed the penalty in.
As the half progressed Harefield seemed the more committed and could have added to their lead, when Jordan fired wide following Richardson’s mazy run and pass.
The introduction of the third Wealdstone substitute, Gary Burrell was instrumental in the Wealdstone equaliser.
He had only been on for a short time when his sweetly struck corner was headed in by Beckford.
Referee Downey, infamous in local non-league circles, made a string of incorrect decisions. The majority of them were of no consequence but one was telling.
On this occasion it was the one that brought Harefield’s winner.
Woods’s dive at Gladdy’s feet definitely took the ball but Mr Downey had other ideas. Woods was booked and Jordan got his hat-trick with his second penalty five minutes from the end……