Wealdstone 5 – 2 Cheshunt
Wealdstone5 - 2
CheshuntA bit of a turn around from Saturday when the result flattered the visitors, yet in truth this result flattered the visitors as well!
Stones were brighter from the off despite having lost Carl Martin from Saturday’s side, and they could have had an early goal when what seemed a certain penalty was turned down as Kalli in the Cheshunt goal held Robinson on the floor as the ball was cleared.
A few minutes later and Stones thought they had opened their account when Hall’s ball through the centre released Papali who slotted home only for a late flag to signal offside.
On 21 minutes, Stones did get the breakthrough, when Papali challenged Kalli in the air, the keeper couldn’t hold the cross and the ball fell to O’Leary who scored from 5 yards. This sparked the visitors into their best spell of the match as the forced Stones back, and they were rewarded after 35 minutes when Bernard headed home the equaliser.
They were only on level terms though for 6 minutes. Stones pressed forward in waves with Robinson and Papali seemingly passing the visitors defence at will, forcing blocks and clearances and a couple of good saves from Kalli until on 41 minutes, Robinson had an effort well blocked by Kalli, the ball fell to Papali who shot was punched away by full-back Draper, Referee Downey made an immediate decision to give the penalty and also Draper a red card, and Papali slotted home the penalty to give Stones a 2-1 half time lead.
The second half started in similar vein with stones pressing on and Robinson again broke through to see his shot blocked on 49 minutes – Papali again on hand to slot home the rebound, and two minutes later, Donnelly broke on the left and hit an inch perfect cross to Carbon who headed home stones fourth from ten yards.
With the game effectively over as a contest, Stones retained the upper hand and increased their lead on 80 minutes when a strong challenge after a corner gave O’Leary the opportunity to score a fifth which he duly did, the only remaining action was a break away on 90 minutes, Cox scoring a consolation for the travelling Cheshunt side.
Wealdstone: Lee Carroll, Josias Carbon 51, Fergus Moore s82 Graeme Montgomery, Lee Chappell, Ben Martin, Scott Donnelly, Graham Hall, Chris O’Leary 21,8031, Theo Robinson, Dean Papali 41,49 s86 Wayne Cort, Scott Cousins s82 Kevin swift, Subs Not Used: Josh Cooper, Dean Clark