Wealdstone 3 -1 Staines Town
Wealdstone
3 - 1
Staines TownStaines 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.
Harrow Times – Steve Spaull
WHILE not playing pretty football, Wealdstone are grinding out the results that should secure their status in the Ryman Premier division next season.
It must be remembered that this is a side which were bottom in October and nine of Saturday’s starting line-up were playing then.
For long periods, especially in the first half, Wealdstone were on the defensive, barely able to keep possession of beyond the halfway line.
It was no surprise when Staines scored in an 11th minute opener. A poor goal kick caught the Stones defence flat footed and Ellis, in acres of space on the right, crossed for the equally unmarked Currie to score a simple goal.
Even going a goal down could not lift Stones from their apathy until fate played a hand in the 26th minute.
A rare foray upfield produced a free-kick on the edge of the Staines box. Jermaine Beckford’s shot at goal took a huge deflection, wrong-footing keeper Lovett, giving Wealdstone a somewhat undeserved equaliser.
Straight after, Stones could have gone behind again. Currie went clear this time and James, stretching for the ball at the far post, could only direct it into the side netting.
Riding their luck, Wealdstone then had the audacity to take the lead.
In first half stoppage time Richard Jolly got on the end of Dave Ryan’s long ball forward, held off the close attention of Gordon, and thumped a right foot shot into the far corner.
The second half began in a similar fashion with Staines now looking for an equaliser. Manuella headed wide and James watched his effort thump the underside of the bar only to be cleared.
Wealdstone had been picking up injuries on a regular basis but, strangely, the enforced substitutions had the effect of improving the side’s performance.
The game became a real contest. Wealdstone won it when Beckford’s exquisite pass put Jolly clear to curl his shot past Lovett’s outstretched hand.
Beckford rounded Lovett soon after as Wealdstone took command, but his shot hit a covering defender.
Gary Burrell then had his free-kick saved by the keeper.
The closing minutes saw Wealdstone sit back and Staines might have scored on three occasions, but Andy Carter saved smartly from James and both Gell and Maskell fired wide.
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