Wealdstone 2 – 5 Stamford
Wealdstone2 - 5
StamfordOuch just about sums it up, as in a fairly even game with both sides missing a number of first half chances, a risk to get something out of the game eventually backfired for Wealdstone.
Stones took the lead on four minutes when Robinson received the ball out wide, jinking past his marker, his pace then took him clear and allowed him to hit a low cross, well met by Papali on 8 yards who made no mistake. Stones joy though was short lived, as they were soon out-muscled in midfield and Wormall, who was probably the pick of the Stamford side, got on the end of a header across goal to equalise from a couple of yards two minutes later.
Two minutes more and they were in the lead as Stones lost the ball again and an inch perfect pass was met by Wilson, who too shot home from close range.
For the next half hour, Stones were the better side as Donnelly Robinson and Papali continually combined to cause the visitors problems. Robinson saw his next effort punched round the post and then two excellent through balls from Donnelly released him to shot – only to see the first effort hit the bar and the second to glide just over it.
Papali was jot to be outdone and he too collected the ball out wide, cut inside and turned his defender before glancing a shot with the outside of his boot just past the post, shortly afterwards hitting the post with a similar effort.
Donnelly almost got his name on the scoresheet as well with a blistering free kick that was only a couple of inches wide, before Stones did equalise on 39 minutes, this time Robinson on the end of a Hall free kick at the back post to shot home across the visiting keeper.
Again though, Stamford scored after just two more minutes, a low shot beating Carroll at his near post to give the visitors a 3-2 half time lead, after an excellent half of football.
The second half started with both sides cancelling each other out for long spells and certainly lacking the excitement of the first, though Stamford had the better of possession as their quick movement and passing restricted Stones to occasional foray’s forward.
Still 3-2 down, Manager Gordon Bartlett made three changes in the space of 12 minutes as he looked to change the formation and disrupt Stamford to get Stones back into the game, but his plans were soon undone as only five minutes later, Wormall again broke forward to score the visitors fourth goal, and with Stones now chasing the game, five minutes more and Stamford broke again to score a fifth.
The final score line was harsh on the hosts, as sometimes these chances come off, but today wasn’t the day, though Stones can be pleased that they competed on equal terms for an hour against a good side, even with one or two players playing slightly below par.
Wealdstone: Lee Carroll, Josias Carbon s55 Graeme Montgomery, Fergus Moore, Carl Martin, Ben Martin, Scott Donnelly, Graham Hall s55,Dean Clark, Chris O’Leary, Theo Robinson 39, Dean Papali 4, Lee Chappell s88 Wayne Cort, Subs Not Used: Josh Cooper, Matt Gooderick