Wealdstone 3 – 2 Wivenhoe Town
Wealdstone3 - 2
Wivenhoe TownStones started well on top of a game that they were expected to win, as the visitors had suffered a run of six defeats. Early shots from Morgan and Swaysland were well defended, a shot from Charlie Mapes was also just wide.
A reshuffle after nine minutes when Robin Tucker left the field injured didn’t alter Stones stride as Wivenhoe struggled to break out of defence, and it was no surprise when Dave Ryan won a strong header in midfield after nineteen minutes. His header beat the defence and Mickie Swaysland ran through to collect. he broke into the box and calmly slotted the ball home to give Stones the lead.
Marvin Morgan’s pace continued to give the visitors defence problems, but Stones failed to beat goalkeeper Greenley who made three excellent saves to keep the visitors in the match. On 29 minutes Stones extended their lead with an almost identical goal, this time, Jason Shaw knocking the ball over the defence for Swaysland to collect and again beat the goalkeeper one on one.
Wealdstone continued to press and should have extended their lead but again, good work from the visiting keeper kept the home side at bay.
Wivenhoe had a little more of the play in the second half, while Stones were not as dominant in their opponents half, and a half clearance from a corner fell to sub George Fowler who shot home to bring the visitors back into the game. It started their best spell as Stones looked a little nervous but on 81 minutes, Marvin Morgan collected the ball inside his own half and ran at and then past his marker, his pace just too much for the defender to handle. He cut into the penalty box and squared the ball directly into the path of Charlie Mapes who had run fully 60 yards, to slot home and restore Stones two goal cushion.
With two minutes remaining Wivenhoe were again given hope as bad marking allowed Calver to score from close range, but it was their last chance of the match, Stones running out winners 3 – 2.
Wealdstone: Andy Carter, James Fisher (b59), Danny White, Robin Tucker (s9 Carl Hunt), Matt Carvell, Martin Carter, Dave Ryan, Jason Shaw (s79 Joe O’Reagan), Mickie Swaysland (19,29 s83 Jermaine Beckford), Marvin Morgan, Charlie Mapes (81), Subs not used: Charlie Leary, Danny Tilbury