Wealdstone 2 – 3 Hendon
Wealdstone3R
2 - 3
HendonA young Wealdstone side missing six first team regulars in the starting line up through injury and unavailability took the field against a very strong Hendon side, in this re-staged cup tie. Missing Godfrey, Courtnage, Tucker and White from the side that started the abandoned match on Tuesday, Stones were on the back foot early on against the quick Premier division forwards.
Stones competed well and were by no means overrun in the early stages, although they fell behind on 20 minutes to an excellent shot from Binns that Carter could only palm onto the stanchion and over the line.
Stones continued to improve however, although again they lacked a little in the last third, both Beckford and Swaysland finding it difficult to master a strong back line for the visitors, but they didn’t concede the second goal until almost half time, Ofori scoring from close range on 44 minutes.
The second half saw Stones get well into their stride and as the half progressed they played some excellent football, both Fisher and Hunt using the width well and causing problems for the visiting defence. At the back, Perry, Adan and Ryan coped well with the Hendon forwards and Stones got back into the match on 80 minutes when good work from Hunt allowed Tilbury to play a square ball a cross the box to Myhill who shot home from 18 yards.
This put Stones on top of their game and three minutes later they were level when an excellent cross from Hunt found alexander who headed home the equaliser.
It was not to be Stones night though as with two minutes remaining Howarth collected the ball from a harshly awarded free kick and another excellent finish was enough to see the visitors progress, Stones though must be pleased with the performance from a young side against their senior opposition.
Wealdstone:Andy Carter(b73), James Fisher, Carl Hunt, Matt Perry, Dave Ryan (s80 Darren Morely), Martin Carter, Gulad Adan, Jason Shaw (s44 Andy Myhill 80), Mick Swaysland (b86), Jermaine Beckford (s66 Ben Alexander 83), Danny Tilbury, Subs not used: Tyronne Hercules, Marvin Morgan