It was a very lively start for Wealdstone creating several openings in the first fifteen minutes, with Chris Moore and Scott McGleish linking up well together. Although there were no clear cut opportunities, the Bury Town keeper did well to hold on to a couple of low, stinging efforts from McGleish. As the half wore on, Bury clawed their way into the game, and missed a guilt edged chance when John Sands blasted wide when one on one with Jonathan North. Bury then deservedly took the lead after 32 minutes when Sam Reed fired a shot into the bottom corner, although it looked as though Jonathan North should have done better with the ball bouncing over his hands. Wealdstone did respond, and on the stroke of half time Chris Moore had a great chance to equalise, but the Bury keeper did very well with a reaction save from close range. Half time, 1-0 to Bury.
After the break, Wealdstone came out all guns blazing, and deservedly equalised after 53 minutes. After some neat play down the right hand side, the lively Esmond James drilled a ball into the near post where Chris Moore cleverly clipped the ball over the Bury keeper into the net to make it 1-1. At this point Wealdstone were flying, and took the lead after 56 minutes with a wonderful goal. After several one touch passes down the left hand side, Lee Chappell was set free to drill a ball across the face of the goal where Scott McGleish finished off a truly brilliant move and put Wealdstone into the lead. At this point there looked like only one winner, until Bury equalised in bizarre circumstances. A free kick from the left was swung into the area, and the usually reliable Jonathan North produced a clanger, missing the ball resulting in the free kick going straight in. This goal knocked Wealdstone out of their stride, and Bury took the lead after 76 minutes, again through some questionable goalkeeping. After failing to clear their lines on several occasions, Bury frontman Sands scuffed a shot across the face of goal which barely rolled into the corner of the net, with keeper North seemingly letting the ball out for a goal kick, but misjudging the direction of the ball. Wealdstone then battered Bury for the remainder of the game, and almost equalised through Chris Moore, who was denied by a brilliant save from the Bury keeper, tipping a pile driver onto the bar, which was then headed out for a corner. In the dying minutes, the Bury keeper then produced another great save after a goalmouth scamble. Final score, a somewhat harsh 3-2 defeat for Wealdstone.
The errors from Jonathan North this game will provide Bartlett with a tough decision for Saturdays game against Cray Wanderers. This was the worst I have ever seen North play, and it ultimately cost Wealdstone three points. There is no denying that the midfield were also lacking creativity, and the defence was looking very vulnerable at times, but had Rikki Banks been in goal, would we have lost that game? I dont think we would. Moore and McGleish looked very lively up top for Wealdstone, and created several chances for themselves, and would have had more goals each had the Bury keeper not been in such good form. Nothing can be taken away from Bury, they worked very hard all across the pitch and caused the Stones defence a lot of problems, but I cannot help thinking that on their day, Wealdstone would be beating them fairly comfortably. Despite the result, I think Wealdstone were quite unlucky, although recent poor performances mean a defeat is hardly a surprise. So onto Saturday at home to Cray Wanderers, where three points is an absolute must, and given Crays recent form and position in the table, it should be a comfortable win for the Stones. I for one am incredibly pessimistic for Saturday, and can't see Wealdstone winning after the recent performances. Alex Dyer must start on Saturday as should Esmond James who was very impressive tonight. Prediction for Saturday, 0-0. Hoping its a 4-0 job though!
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