Wealdstone 3 – 0 Folkestone Invicta
Wealdstone
3 - 0
Folkestone InvictaAfter a week when every phone call seemed to rule out another player, Gordon Bartlett probably took hope today from the state of the White Lion Ground when he arrived. With showers expected, even a slight rainfall would probably have seen the game called off after Edgware had played on the pitch twice in midweek and poor weather had prevented the groundsman getting on to the pitch to carry out repairs – it seemed to be a glutinous mass that was moulding at the edges – the only place where any green could be seen – but as if to complete GB’s week, the Referee (to his credit) passed it playable at 2:15pm.
Both sides kept clear of the middle in the opening minutes, and one long range effort that stuck in the mud (on it’s way wide) were the only two occasions when either side seemed to be concerned with the conditions as some quick flowing football ensued. Stones had the better of the early exchanges, and could have gone ahead twice through Beckford who shot once high and once wide, then again when he was thwarted by a good save in a one on one, and Jolly too could have given Stones the lead, his first time effort just past the post.
As it was on 18 minutes, Williams collected the ball on half way and broke forward. With the visiting keeper shouting at his defenders not to let Williams cut inside, he duly did, took two touches to steady himself on the edge of the penalty area, then with the keeper still shouting but not moving he curled an excellent shot just inside the far post to give Stones a 1-0 lead.
It was a different team from the last couple of games, but more in attitude than personnel, as Stones continued to press trying to kill off their opponents. The Folkstone defence was certainly the busier as McKeown, Williams, Jolly and Beckford all saw attempts high, wide or saved, yet the visiting forwards had little service and when they did break forward, Stones re-shuffled back line held firm.
The second half followed a similar patter with Beckford again shooting over twice in the opening minutes, but he made amends on 65 when he broke forward and squared the ball to Richard Jolly who rolled the ball home from 12 yards to make the score 2-0.
More pressure from Stones seemed to take the game well away from Folkstone and on 86 minutes, an excellent ball forward from Michnowicz set Jolly free again and he made no mistake with his finish to leave the final score 3-0 and three deserved points for the Stones
Harrow Times – Steve Spaull
WEALDSTONE bounced back from the Leyton debacle with an impressive win against Folkestone Invicta on Saturday.
However, the visitors dominated the early exchanges. The best chances falling to Adam Flanagan whose cross-shot just cleared the bar on six minutes. A minute later, he was thwarted by Dave Ryan’s desperate goal-line clearance, with Carter well beaten.
Having weathered the early pressure, the home side adapted to the heavy conditions, playing angled balls over the defence for Richard Jolly and Jermaine Beckford to chase.
Beckford was set up by Gary Burrell in the 14th minute and Gary McKeown three minutes later, firing into the side-netting both times.
Stones took the lead on 19 minutes when Tommy Williams sent a superb 20 yarder curling past the helpless Tony Kessell.
Beckford went close midway through the half: first failing to round the keeper when through on goal, then firing over.
The same player then spurned an excellent cross from skipper Martin Carter. Ryan headed a Lee O’Leary free-kick wide, and Jolly anticipated a terrific pass from Beckford, but his touch took the ball the wrong side of the post.
Invicta still looked threatening, and on 36 minutes the lively Paul Sykes lobbed wide. Five minutes later, his shot was tipped over by an alert Carter.
The half ended with another excellent pass from Beckford, this time to O’Leary, whose shot beat the goalkeeper but cannoned off the post. Jolly side-footed the rebound against the back of O’Leary’s legs and the ball was hacked clear.
Eight minutes into the second half, McKeown limped off, replaced by new signing from Northwood Richard Morton, the son of Stones’ ex-keeper, John Morton.
On 56 minutes, Sykes shot over and a minute later Jolly’s shot was saved by Kessell.
Stones got their second on 67 minutes and it was an absolute peach. Jason Shaw chipped a pinpoint 30 yard ball to Jolly who knocked it into space for Beckford. His low cross picked out Jolly who stroked it into the bottom corner.
Soon after, Beckford cleared the bar with Kessell well beaten and Morton’s header was well saved.
The third goal came on 90 minutes when sub Nobby Michnowicz found Jolly, who slotted it under Kessell for his second.
Stones played extremely well: defender Dave Ryan had a towering game and Tommy Williams was back to something like his best.
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