Wealdstone 3 – 0 Folkestone Invicta

Wealdstone

3 - 0

Folkestone Invicta

KO: 0:00 | Sat 29th Jan ’05

After 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