Wealdstone 2 – 3 Hendon
Wealdstone
2 - 3
HendonSome very average end of season fare on offer from both sides today, as they struggled it seemed to keep motivated, and with a hard pitch.
Hendon started the match on top, forging forward and forcing the Stones onto the back foot with some traditional (?) route one football, aiming long balls into the channels from defence and midfield, where Pickett and Frendo ran on, however in the early stages Stones defended well, Carter having little to do.
At the other end, Stones too tended towards the long ball game, though there chances came from the few occasions that they built attacks through the midfield, Carl martin in particular looking composed on his first first team start, and he was happy to spread the play whenever required. he featured in the opening goal on 38 minutes, controlling the ball in midfield and beating his marker before playing a wide ball to Richard Morton. His cross picked out Jermaine Beckford who slid in between two defenders to volley home from 10 yards to give Stones the lead.
Four minutes later though, Hendon were level as a quick break saw the ball played wide to the left -stones defence was stretched and was drawn to the ball and a long cross sailed to the back post where Frendo was unmarked and he slotted home the equaliser.
In the second half, Stones started the brighter and forced Hendon to defend, conceding a number of free kicks and it was from one of these on 57 minutes that Stones restored their lead. As Burrell floated the ball in McGrath pulled Dave Ryan back and to the ground with both arms, no-one disputing the penalty except McGrath who for some reason felt hard done by! Up stepped Richard Jolly to cooly slot the ball home.
This galvanized Hendon into more forceful attack and they kept Stones on the back foot for long periods, Cahill twice clearing his lines with Carter beaten. On the odd occasion stones did get forward, Courtnage was on hand to block in desperation and prevent Stones extending their lead.
Defending deeply, Stones conceded a free kick on 70 minutes. amid a scramble of players in the penalty area, Hendon contrived to hit the bar three times in as many seconds before Ofori saw the third rebound cannon off of his foot into the net to equalise, as Stones failed to clear.
Six minutes later, with Hendon still on the attack, another free kick was conceded this one knocked long past the back post where Street rose above the static Morton to head home what proved to be the winner.
Stones continued to battle in fits and starts but never really looked like equalising and Hendon took the three points on a day that was most definitely not one for the purists.
Harrow Times – Steve Paull
A GAME that started so promisingly for Wealdstone ended with another home defeat as once again Stones failed to hold onto a lead in the last quarter.
The early minutes were so full of promise as Wealdstone looked a lot more lively than in recent games. This was especially true of Jermaine Beckford, who was just off target with one effort and brought out a smart save from Hendon keeper King in another.
Robin Tucker’s header from a corner just cleared the bar too, before Beckford finally got his name on the scoresheet in the 36th minute with a volley on the turn as he leant back.
The shot though not hit completely true had sufficient power to beat King who couldn’t quite keep it out. Suddenly Hendon’s game took on a physical edge and as a result Wealdstone seemed to lose concentration.
The equaliser was three minutes in coming; tackles were missed and Frendo found himself with space and time to beat Carter easily.
Hendon started the second half the brighter and Frendo went close. Carter then saved a header from Ofori, before Wealdstone finally started putting some passes together. Beckford had to stretch to get to a Carl Martin cross and could only direct it over the bar, then Tucker’s goal bound shot from four yards out was blocked by ex-Stone Courtnage.
Wealdstone regained the lead on 56 minutes with another well taken penalty from Richard Jolly, awarded somewhat fortunately when Dave Ryan fell backwards in an aerial tussle with McGrath. From this moment Stones, once again, retreated into their shell and once again failed to hold on.
Under more and more pressure the lead this time lasted for 15 minutes, before a frantic goalmouth scramble with the ball hitting the Wealdstone bar three times in a matter of seconds, before Ofori finally forced it in. Hendon were by far the superior team now, and five minutes later the winner came. McDonagh’s free kick from the right being powerfully headed in by Street at the far post.
Finally Wealdstone began to get forward with some purpose, but there was a certain inevitability that the scoreline would not change. Wealdstone are probably safe from relegation, but with three defeats and a draw in the last four games this is becoming a very flat end to the season.
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