Ciencester Town 0 – 3 Wealdstone
Cirencester Town0 - 3
WealdstoneStones put in their best performance of the season today eventually running out comfortable 3-0 winners, though it could have been 6!
After a dismal showing at Barking on Tuesday, Stones were pleased to see the return of Graham Montgomery, Ben Martin and Wayne Cort from injury, and also welcomed Scott Donnelly to make his debut in midfield, having signed from QPR.
Stones were bright from the start and thoroughly dominated the early stages, Papali and Montgomery both seeing early efforts saved before the first goal on nine minutes. Good work from Donnelly released Montgomery and he cut inside and passed to O’ Leary who broke into the box only to be brought down for a penalty which Papali duly stepped up and scored to give Wealdstone an early lead.
As the half went on, Stones seemed a little cautions perhaps awaiting the inevitable come back from Cirencester, bit the home side’s efforts lead to nothing, Lee Carroll having his quietest half for a long time, as Stones defence coped early with anything the home side offered.
Never safe on one goal, Stones pressed forward as the half progressed and Hall was unlucky not to extend the lead when his well struck effort was deflected wide and Cort saw a back header cleared off the line, but a sweet move down the left flank saw a ball laid back to Graham Hall, and his pinpoint pass found Jay Carbon on the edge of the home box. He cooly collected the ball and took on the home keeper, slotting home a low shot to give stones a 2-0 half time lead.
The second half followed a similar vein, Cort’s hight causing problems at set pieces and speed and movement of the midfield and wide players forcing the Cirens defence into rash clearances, not letting them build play at all.
On 67 minutes, Carbon broke down the right, played in Josh Cooper who found Dean Papali. His effort was deflected across the goal where Carbon had continued his run and he scored his second from two yards.
As the game progressed, Montgomery was unlucky not to get on the score sheet, as was sub matt Gooderick – first from an excellent diving header – unfortunately met by an equally excellent save from the home custodian, and in the doing moments, released again by a ball from Hall, Gooderick took on the keeper only to see his shot cannon back off of the bar………
Stones were well worthy of their win and this was emphasized by the fact that Carroll didn’t have to make one save all afternoon! here’s hoping that it starts a run of similar performances from the side who on days like this show they can compete with anyone at this level.
Wealdstone: Lee Carroll, Josias Carbon 42,67, Fergus Moore, Carl Martin, Ben Martin, Graham Hall, Chris O’Leary, Scott Donnelly s65 Josh Cooper, Wayne Cort s72 Matt Gooderick, Dean Papali 9, Graeme Montgomery s87 Lee Chappell, Subs Not Used: John Henry-Hayden, Kevin Swift