Wealdstone 3 -1 Staines Town

Wealdstone

3 - 1

Staines Town

KO: 0:00 | Sat 12th Mar ’05

Staines started far brighter than Stones today and on a bumpy pitch seemed to be having the better luck in possession, although there opening goal, on 11 minutes came from mistakes rather than great play.

Andy Carter miscued a kick out from goal and it fell to Gary McKeown under pressure – he lost the ball and it was knocked wide and then returned to the unmarked Currie on twelve yards to slot home.

Staines continued to apply the pressure, but slowly as the half wore on Wealdstone found their feet and started to get into the match. Their equaliser on 27 minutes was also fortunate. Beckford was fouled just outside the penalty box and got up to take the free kick himself. His low shot beat the wall but cannoned off of Gordon in the Staines defence, wrong-footing Lovett as the ball crossed the line to make the score 1-1.

The reminder of the half was fairly even – Staines had a little more of the possession, but Wealdstone created the better chances – Jolly and Beckford could both have increased the lead – then right on half time, Staines broke forward. Carvell cut out a through ball and passed to Ryan. He launched a long ball forward where Jolly ran on behind a static Staines defence and coolly drew Lovett towards him before slotting the ball home to give Stones a slightly fortunate half time lead.

The second half again saw Staines start the brighter but without creating chances or causing the re-shuffled home defence to many worries – Champion and Carvell had both gone off injured, Carl Martin and Brian Jones coming on as the formation was revised, and again it was Wealdstone that made the better of their forays forward, Beckford and McKeown having early efforts saved.

On 69 minutes the game turned completely in Stones favour as Beckford collected the ball near half way and curled a delightful pass thirty yards into the path of the on running Richard Jolly, again he drew Lovett out from his goal and slotted the ball home to make the score 3 – 1. The damage was done as the spirit seemed to drain from the visitors with the goal.

Staines introduced Maskell and Nabil as they tried to re-establish themselves in the contest but to no avail as Stones earnt another three points in their efforts to maintain their status.