Match Report by Nick Dugard
Saturday, 22 November 2014
Vanarama Conference South
Wealdstone 1 Concord Rangers 0
Wealdstone gained ample revenge with this close and hard fought victory over Concord Rangers who had dumped the Stones out of the FA Cup and had also beaten the home side in the league convincingly earlier in the season.
In a clash that turned out to be a war of attrition and fighting spirit it was Stones that eventually came out on top and in the process were able to record their first home victory of the campaign and also chalk up back to back successes.
Johnny Wright was unavailable for this match but the main squad news was that Richard Jolly, sensationally now out of retirement, was on the bench.
Wealdstone, who had lost key striker Connor Calcutt to a serious injury during their midweek win over Chelmsford, struggled to gain any sort of advantage in a flat first period. Scott McGleish resumed the role of lone striker but attacks were sporadic and laboured in the first period.
Stones did breakthrough with a sharp move early on but Concord keeper Josh Vickers blocked the attempt. Then home stopper Jonathan North saved brilliantly to deny Jordan Chiedozie as The Beach Boys dominated with some good, intelligent,possession football and physical strength.
Stones hit back late in the half but winger Joe Turner was off target with a snap shot and then the same player spurned a great chance at the far post.
Stones withheld an early onslaught from Concord after the turnaround and the away side’s better ball retention kept Wealdstone constantly under pressure. But Stones gradually got their act together and were increasingly finding joy down the flanks with Shaun Lucien looking increasingly menacing.
McGleish was desperately unlucky not to find the net with a brilliant strike that was heading for the top corner but Josh Vickers, on loan from Arsenal, was equal to it with a fine save.
Finally, on 74 minutes, Lucien weaved some extraordinary magic beating multipledefenders and crossed perfectly for the onrushing Scott McGleish who made no mistake from close range with dipping header.
The re–born Lucien then went on another mazy run but couldn’t quite find the finish he craved.
Mindful of recent late reverses, Stones defence held out superbly under intense added time pressure from Concord who brought their keeper up for a last ditch corner, but Stones saw the game out and joyfully grabbed all three points on offer.
Wealdstone: North, Hammond, Watts, Parker, Cronin, Godfrey, Lucien, Ball, McGleish, Brown, Turner Subs: Hickey ,Martin (used), Hamblin, Jolly, Carter (GK)
Attendance: 677
William Hill MoM: Sean Cronin.
