Worthing 0 – 1 Wealdstone

Worthing

0 - 1

Wealdstone

KO: 0:00 | Sat 11th Dec ’04

With five players unavailable through injury / illness etc it was a strange line-up that took the field at Woodside Park, Stones playing their three central defenders and then for good measure playing two more in midfield!

This may make you think that a defensive game would ensue with Worthing having the upper hand and battling to break down the Stones, but far from it – Worthing actually rarely tried to break anything down, while Stones failed to create a final pass to push on at the other end.

It was generally a poor game with very limited opportunities at either and, Jones coming closest in the first half with a shot that was just wide, but I’d struggle to remember either keeper making a save in the first period.

The second half was better from Stones point of view as they created a little more, but again there were limited chances other than the goal.

This came from Brian Jones beating his man on 25 yards and unleashing a shot goalwards, which Richard Jolly was aware enough to get his foot to on 12 yards to wrong foot the ‘keeper and score in the corner to score for the 8th consecutive League game.

Not a classic by any means with both teams shorn of creativity, but another three points…

Harrow Times  Steve Spaull

Worthing 0 Wealdstone 1

WITH several first choice players unavailable, a noticably under-strength Wealdstone side that took the field against Worthing. Fortunately, it was the same for the home side. Unfortunately, the football on display was dire as a result.

Two defenders, Robin Tucker and Chris Cahill, filled midfield berths and Brian Jones played as a makeshift striker alongside Richard Jolly. Jermaine Beckford was excused normal striking duties because of his 21st birthday celebrations.

The game itself is best forgotten. Both sets of players tried hard but football of any quality was rare. Goalmouth action and shots at the target were very few.

The skilfull Jones was involved in both first half scoring opportunities, blazing over Jolly’s precision pass on 15 minutes. Then, five minutes before the break, scuffing wide following a rare passing move. That was it.

Worthing, prompted by the suddenly lively Collins, played with more fire after the break and Andy Carter finally had a shot to save five minutes in. Green’s effort barely troubled him though and hopefully this clean sheet will do wonders for his confidence after his recent slip-ups.

The winning goal, just after the hour, was worthy of the game it came from. Jones’ mis-hit a long-range shot which would never have troubled home keeper Packham. However, it hit Jolly and completely wrong-footed the keeper before rolling gently into the opposite corner.

No exuberant celebrations from Jolly on this occasion, even though it is the ninth successive game he has scored in.

Worthing fought for an equaliser as Stones, as is their habit, sat back to protect their lead. Knee missed with a lob and Pulling fired over, but Wealdstone were largely untroubled, recording another victory in this remarkable mid-season renaissance.