Wealdstone 3 – 2 Wingate & Finchley
Wealdstone3 - 2
Wingate & FinchleyStill missing a number of key players – there are 12 currently unavailable – Stones failed to impress in the early stages against Wingate, but it was for the performance of the Referee that the match will be most remembered.
In a difficult midfield tussle, both sides were limited to few attacks at their opponents defence, and with the half seemingly ending in a stalemate, Stones attacked and won a corner. Partially cleared the ball fell to Perry who tried to cross, the ball hitting the nearest defenders arm, only for the ref to immediately award the penalty and book the visiting captain for his protests.
Swaysland scored to give Stones the lead on 42 minutes. A minute later, and Wingate pushed forward. Perry and Ryan combined to clear the attack only for the ref to award what seemed to all to be an ‘equaliser’. Hemmerdinger also scoring from the spot to see the halftime score line 1-1.
Stones came out with more intent as the second half started, and had soon recovered the lead when Danny Tilbury looped a shot over the visiting keeper under a strong challenge on 49 minutes and Stones went further ahead three minutes later when Jolly shot home after good work from Swaysland and a cross from Fisher.
As the half progressed, a number of free kicks were awarded, almost alternately between the two sides and this disrupted the play, but Wingate did pull a goal back on 68 minutes when Nyman scored to give the visitors some hope, but Stones held on for three valuable points.
Wealdstone:Andy Carter, James Fisher, Dave Ryan (b76), Robin Tucker, Matt Perry (b78), Martin Carter, Carl Hunt, Richard Jolly (52, s89 Jermaine Beckford), Mick Swaysland (42), Marvin Morgan (s29 Danny White), Danny Tilbury (49), Subs not used: Subs not used: Tyronne Hercules, Fred Cummins