Bath City 0 Wealdstone 1
Wealdstone continue their great winning run on Saturday this time against traditional bogey side Bath City. Stones committed a classic smash and grab victory in the fourth minutes of added time when Joe Turner became an instant hero with the goal that sparked wild celebrations amongst the vast travelling support.
For much of this match both sides struggled to gain a real foothold in the proceedings with play often looking scrappy and lacking cohesion.
The opening period belonged to the home side, with Frankie Artus, Chris Allen and Andy Watkins all presented with decent opportunities to take the lead.
But Stones gradually worked their way into the game based on some very solid defensive work and an outstanding display from keeper Jonathan North. Sean Lucien and Joe Turner were moved around to try to create problems down the flanks with some success.
The second half found City in far more control, moving the ball around far more effectively than the visitors who were content to defend but were finding a lack of control in the midfield frustrating.
New signing Jefferson Louis was causing some problems for the home defence but needed more support from anoverworked mid field.
As the second half wore on it looked increasingly likely that City would make the breakthrough and with six minutes left it seemed they would, but North produced a magnificent full stretch save from Dave Pratt to keep Stones in the match.
With five minutes of added time signalled and with all substitutes on including Richard Jolly, Stones summoned up a sucker punch with a last gasp winner. Jolly chased down a poor defensive clearance and when City’s keeper Jason Mellor could not hold onto the ball, Jolly cleverly rolled the it back into the path of the on rushing Joe Turner whose unerringstrike found the back of the net from 25 yards sparking celebrations from his team mates and supporters on the terraces.
Wealdstone’s Holiday programme starts on Boxing Day at the Vale versus Sutton United with a 1.00 p.m. Kick Off
Wealdstone: North, Martin, Watts, Parker©, Hamlin, Godfrey, Lucien, Brown, Louis, Ball, Turner. Subs used: Wright, O’Nien, Jolly. Not used Carter(GK), McGliesh
