Wealdstone eased into the next round of the FA Cup as they dispatched Evo Stik Division One side Biggleswade Town.
Having been knocked out at this stage of the competition last year by a side from the same level, Stones ensured there was no chance of this happening again with a confident performance. Peter Dean was once again superb, with the striker creating the first goal before adding a second himself just after the break.
With the sun beating down on The Vale, Stones almost got off to the dream start with just three minutes on the clock when Lee Chappell picked out Richard Jolly at the far post, however last season’s golden boot winner somehow managed to smash the ball onto the underside of the cross bar from three yards when it looked easier to score.
There was a chance for the visitors to take the lead four minutes later as Craig Daniel chased down a long punt forward before holding off the defender and unleashing a shot which Rikki Banks did well to save with his feet.
Jolly atoned for his earlier error on 17 minutes as he handed his side the lead. Scott McCubbin picked out Peter Dean down the right flank who strode forward before drilling the ball across the box to Jolly who made no mistake this time; sweeping the ball underneath Biggleswade ‘keeper Michael McEntegart.
Tom Pett nearly added a second soon after, cutting in from the left and darting into the box before seeing his effort turned behind.
From the resultant corner Stones hit the bar for the second time in the opening half hour, this time Wes Parker bravely challenging the ‘keeper; sending a looping header onto the cross bar.
The home side were certainly getting a lot of joy down the right hand side during the first half, and Jolly came close again from another delivery from the right, this time heading onto the post from Dean’s cross.
At the other end Biggleswade missed a golden chance to level the tie five minutes before the break, as centre forward Brett Donnelly flashed a header wide from a decent position having been picked out by Craig Daniel.
They had a further chance right on the stroke of half time, with Parker bringing down Joel Mason 25 yards from goal, and Lee Allinson stepping up to curl the resultant free kick just wide of the post.
Stones came out for the second half flying and they notched a second four minutes after the restart. Kurtney Brooks weighted a great through ball to Jolly. Jolly was able to prod the ball past the onrushing ‘keeper with Peter Dean being on hand to stab the ball over the line from close range for his first goal of the season.
Town perhaps should have pulled one back almost immediately, however Donnelly headed wide once again when unmarked following another delivery from Daniel.
With the two goal cushion Stones were now starting to look more confident and were knocking the ball around well, however they were unable to create too many clear chances.
At the other end they were limiting Biggleswade to efforts from distance, the best of these being a strike from Donnelly which was straight down the throat of Banks.
Dean had a great chance ten minutes from the end to notch his second and his sides third, however he bent his shot wide after being put through by Pett.
Wes Parker was then only denied by a good stop from McEntegart as the Biggleswade ‘keeper palmed away his close range header after a good delivery from Chappell.
Biggleswade substitute Jamie Arlick came close to setting up a grandstand finish, however Banks showed great reflexes to block his header.
Next up for Wealdstone is a return to league action next Saturday as they face a tough looking trip to Concord Rangers.
Wealdstone: Banks, McCubbin (Hammond 83), Chappell, Parker (c), Massey, Dyer (Brewer 76), Brooks, O’Leary, Dean, Jolly, Pett (Webb 80). Subs not used: Poniskaitis (GK), Baidoo, Knight, Cronin.
Attendance: 302
Man of the match: Alex Dyer
