Wealdstone advanced into the next round of the Ryman League Cup at the expense of Ramsgate, and in truth the scoreline could, and should, have been far more emphatic had it not been for some amazingly profligate finishing from the home side.
The back four for Wealdstone had a somewhat makeshift feel about it, with Wes Parker unavailable, midfielder George Nicholas slotted into the centre of defence alongside Sean Cronin and the former Notts County youngster did well.
There was also a first start of the season for Polish striker Jacek Magdzinski who partnered Shabazz Baidoo upfront.
Stones enjoyed far more freedom to play their passing football than in the league and despite the wayward finishing there were some good performances throughout the side. Baidoo and Webb in particular caught the eye.
The visitors had a chance to take the lead within 90 seconds, a long ball forward from ‘keeper Danny Twyman found Joe Eguileor who took a touch before firing a powerful effort from the edge of the box which was deflected over the bar by the covering Sean Cronin.
Stones had their first chance of the evening on 11 minutes when Alex Dyer intercepted the ball in midfield before releasing Shabazz Baidoo whose powerful effort was straight at Twyman.
A clever passing move then almost came off for the home side ten minutes later when Nathan Webb played a neat one two with Tom Pett before firing wide of the upright.
At the other end Banks did well to turn away an effort from Tom Chapman after Sam Gore had got down the left and picked out the winger at the back post.
Magzdinski then missed a golden chance to hand his side the lead 24 minutes when he was put through by Kurtney Brooks, but he fired wide when one on one with Twyman when he should have netted.
Dyer was next to go close when Tommy Brewer brought the ball out of defence before picking out the former Northampton man in the box whose effort was well saved by Twyman.
Stones took the lead on 29 minutes. Ramsgate lost possession with the ball breaking to Baidoo who ran into the box and lofted the ball over Twyman from the angle. It looked like the former QPR man’s effort was going wide butMagdzinski was on hand to bundle the ball over the line from close range.
The goal had obviously given Magzdinski confidence, and he had another chance two minutes later, feigning to shoot on the edge of the box before turning a defender and hitting a powerful effort which was turned over the bar by Twyman.
Twyman came to the visitors aid again soon after, this time saving well from a Sean Cronin header from Dyer’s corner.
Stones grabbed a second three minutes before the break. Dyer played a great cross field pass to Chappell who ran through on goal. It looked like his first touch had been too heavy but he didn’t give up and slid in on the onrushing Twyman who spilled the ball into the path of Baidoo, giving him the easy task to tapping into an empty net despite Rams protests for a foul.
Twyman made amends for his error on the stroke of half time, diving bravely at the feet of Tom Pett as the Stones midfielder tried to take it round him after a neat through ball from Dyer.
Stones almost got the second half off to a perfect start six minutes in when Webb threaded the ball through to Dyer whose effort was palmed round the post by Twyman.
Magdzinski then had a chance a few minutes later, heading wide when well placed from a Dyer free kick.
Ramsgate were working desperately to find a way back into the game, and substitute Ian Pulman tried his luck with an effort from the edge of the box which was bravely blocked by Cronin.
A third seemed certain on 73 minutes when a slip saw both Baidoo and Magdzinski run well clear. Baidoo had possession and drew the ‘keeper from the goal before unselfishly squaring the ball to his strike partner, however his pass was behind Magdzinski, giving the covering defenders time to get back and dispossess the Pole.
At the other end Pulman was turning out to be the danger man for the visitors, and he was unlucky with a powerful 20 yard drive which flew just wide of the post.
Ramsgate did pull once back on 75 minutes when Ben Laslett rose unchallenged to head home from Macauley Murray’s corner.
The two goal cushion was restored six minutes later though. The impressive Webb threaded a great ball through to Baidoo who beat the offside trap before smartly lofting the ball over the onrushing Twyman.
Baidoo then had a chance to add more gloss to the scoreline three minutes from time, but he fired straight at Twyman when again one on one from another good ball from Dyer.
Rams reduced the arrears into injury time when Pulman finished well from close range, but it proved to be too little too late but gave the scoreline a somewhat flattering look.
Wealdstone: Banks, Brewer, Chappell, Nicholas, Cronin, Dyer, Brooks, Webb, Baidoo, Magzdinski, Pett (Jordan 60). Subs not used: Dean, Haxhia, Jolly
Attendance: 147
Report by Stuart Warren
