Match Report: Saturday, 4 October 2014: Vanarama a Conference South:
Weston-Super-Mare 1 Wealdstone 2
Stones registered their 2nd away win of the season in the Vanarama Conference South with a strong all round team performance at The Woodspring Stadium the home of Weston-super-Mare on Saturday. Trailing 1-0 at half-time second half headed goals from the evergreen Scott McLeish and the commanding Tom Hamblin in front of the 130+ travelling faithful who supported the team from the off was just reward for all concerned.
Manager Gordon Bartlett gave Shaun Lucien & Daniel Brown their League debuts which provided the midfield with more pace and power to compete all over the pitch. Indeed it was the Stones who settled the better of the two teams controlling play, closing down opponents when not in possession and creating chances, two of note in the first 30 minutes were when McGleish controlled a fine cross field pass escaping the attention of towering Tom Jordan and on taking the ball forward he rounded the advancing Purnell yet tumbled to the ground clearly as a result of the forward momentum from the initial challenge by the defender. The other chance was from a rasping pile driver from Luke O’Nien which had the home keeper looking on in awe as it thundered off the bar down into the ground and scrambled away by the home team.
Without really threatening the Stone goal the home side took the lead very much against the run of play on 33 minutes courtesy of a Dayle Grubb goal. This seemed to knock Stones out of their stride somewhat which the home side sought to capitalise on, Jonathan North pulled off two quite outstanding saves; the first a smart save low to his left by the post the other a magnificent one-on-one block almost on the edge of the box when a Weston forward was allowed to escape the attention of Cronin & Hamblin. When the half-time whistle came most of the visiting fans thought it was going to be another one of those days where despite lots of effortand application there was going to be no reward.
Whatever was said in the dressing room at half-time worked wonders; Stones took the game to the home side and were continually probing and looking the better of the two teams. Parity was restored on 50 minutes when McGleish reacted the quickest on the edge of the six yard box to head past the exposed Purnell, cue celebrations on the pitch and behind the goal as this was the sort of goal that has eluded the Stones thus far this season. Further delight ensued, Jonny Wright replaced Luke O’Nien just after the hour and his introduction and directness of play appeared to unnerve the home side. On 64 minutes the majestic Tom Hamblin put a delightful but powerful header into the net to the left of the keeper to give the Stones a much deserved lead. Again celebration on the pitch and terraces was loud and boisterous. Joe Turner came on and replaced Tom Hickey on 76 minutes, the home side were now resorting to lumping the ball forward and as Stones won possession they were able to break at pace which made for a lively and nerve dangling last 15 minutes. Enoch Showumni made a cameo appearance replacing McGleish in added time.
At the final whistle there was much relief all round, the players and the fans were well chuffed, and no bookings to boot!
More of the same please from now on!
Team: North, Mills Hamblin Cronin, Watts, Godfery, Lucien, Hickey, McGleish, Brown, O’Nien. Subs Wright, Turner, Showumni
