Match Report by Nick DuGard: Saturday, 12 March 2016:
National League South:Wealdstone 2 Maidstone United 2
Draw specialists Wealdstone made it 8 draws from their last 12 matches in the National League South on Saturday but this time they were excellent value for it against promotion contenders Maidstone United.
Some great and progressive attacking play was undone by slack defending at key moments but in an unpredictable and exciting game, there was also some great match saving defensive work, notably from Dale Binns who was also a contender for star player.
This was a hugely entertaining clash played out in front of a season’s topleague crowd at Grosvenor Vale of 815 and Wealdstone could consider themselves unlucky not to taken all three points at the final minutes when sub Marvin Morgan got on the end of fellow sub Shaun Lucien’s vicious drive across goal but the tall striker’s header flew wide.
Wealdstone almost opened the scoring early on but outstanding keeper Lee Worgan made a great save from man of the match Bradley Hudson-Odoi’s curling strike that was destined for the top corner.
A fast moving period of the contest saw the home side dominate the forward play but United took the lead with their first real threat on goal. A long range free kick was poorly defended and Joe Healey thumped a header past James Bransgrove who was given no chance.
The home Stones soon hit back and Hudson- Odoi’s superb run from 60 yards should have delivered more but the tricky wide man pulled his shot wide of the far post.
After Vas Karagiannis blazed over in front of goal, Wealdstone’s attacking flair finally brought an equaliser. Matty Harriott picked up a loose ball outside the area and blasted home off an upright for 1-1 on 35 minutes
Sadly Wealdstone were undone only 5 minutes later – again throughfrustrating slack marking and from a long throw Callum Davies took Unitedback into an unlikely lead.
After the break the home side looked to have the edge and piled forward with some menace up the slope increasing the pressure on Maidstone.
The home side deservedly drew level on 56 minutes when the hard working Jefferson Louis flicked the ball expertly over to Johnny Wright who poked home with aplomb.
Dale Binns then drew praise from the home fans with a brilliant last ditch tackle to stop Flisher who had broken through after a great run
The game surged from end to end and both sides had their chances to win the game.
The home side should have netted again through Odoi’s strike but Worgan again came to the rescue and then Morgan missed with a difficult chance
Stones entertain Hayes and Yeading United on Monday evening in a vitally important relegation zone 6 pointer
Wealdstone : Bransgrove, Urquhart, Binns, Parker, Cadmore, Godfrey, Wright, Harriott, Louis (Morgan 75), Davies, Hudson-Odoi (Lucien 80)
Subs not used: Ball, Mavila, McGleish
Attendance: 815
