Summary Match Report by Nick DuGard: FA Trophy 1st Round: Wednesday, 13 January 2016: Weston Super Mare 3 Wealdstone 2
So after all the frustration of five rain soaked postponements, Wealdstone finally got this FA Trophy First Round tie played at the neutral ground of Paulton Rovers on Wednesday evening.
And after a dreadful evening journey, arriving late they were two down in the first quarter of the match but having fought back magnificently were again undone in the last minute of the match in a miserable moment of déjà vu, a horrible repeat of the league encounter at The Vale back in December.
No trip now to Vanarama National League side big boys Grimsby Town, no prize monies and a ludicrously free Saturday after all the lack of games, but a chance to reflect on what needs to be done and further lessons learnt.
Stones were without on loan keeper Sam Howes and in came rookie Garry Malone but apart from a slip early on the young gloveman did well in the trying and inevitably rain soaked conditions.
Two well taken goals by the ever improving Bradley Hudson-Odoi to pull the Stones level were cruelly cancelled out by Seagulls hat-trick hero Scott Wilson – his winner coming nauseously in the 89th minute.
Wealdstone Manager Gordon Bartlett said: ‘I am bitterly disappointed. A lack lustre start after a long journey and a late kick-off saw us go two down and struggling. We showed a spirited response and were comfortably stronger as the game progressed and when we equalised there looked one winner. But it wasn’t to be. ‘We must look critically as we contributed to all three goals we conceded and to lose it that late made it even worse ’
Stones are back in league action on Monday night at the Freebets.co.uk Stadium when they take on Gosport Borough. A win would be very welcome!
Wealdstone:Malone, Uruqhart, Binns, Cadmore, Hamblin, Godfrey, Ball, Harriott, Louis, Davies, Hudson-Odoi. Sub used: Lucien. Not used: Corcoran, Parker, Duffy, McGleish
