Wealdstone 3 Staines Town 1

4:24pm Wednesday 16th March 2005

WHILE not playing pretty football, Wealdstone are grinding out the results that should secure their status in the Ryman Premier division next season.

It must be remembered that this is a side which were bottom in October and nine of Saturday's starting line-up were playing then.

For long periods, especially in the first half, Wealdstone were on the defensive, barely able to keep possession of beyond the halfway line.

It was no surprise when Staines scored in an 11th minute opener. A poor goal kick caught the Stones defence flat footed and Ellis, in acres of space on the right, crossed for the equally unmarked Currie to score a simple goal.

Even going a goal down could not lift Stones from their apathy until fate played a hand in the 26th minute.

A rare foray upfield produced a free-kick on the edge of the Staines box. Jermaine Beckford's shot at goal took a huge deflection, wrong-footing keeper Lovett, giving Wealdstone a somewhat undeserved equaliser.

Straight after, Stones could have gone behind again. Currie went clear this time and James, stretching for the ball at the far post, could only direct it into the side netting.

Riding their luck, Wealdstone then had the audacity to take the lead.

In first half stoppage time Richard Jolly got on the end of Dave Ryan's long ball forward, held off the close attention of Gordon, and thumped a right foot shot into the far corner.

The second half began in a similar fashion with Staines now looking for an equaliser. Manuella headed wide and James watched his effort thump the underside of the bar only to be cleared.

Wealdstone had been picking up injuries on a regular basis but, strangely, the enforced substitutions had the effect of improving the side's performance.

The game became a real contest. Wealdstone won it when Beckford's exquisite pass put Jolly clear to curl his shot past Lovett's outstretched hand.

Beckford rounded Lovett soon after as Wealdstone took command, but his shot hit a covering defender.

Gary Burrell then had his free-kick saved by the keeper.

The closing minutes saw Wealdstone sit back and Staines might have scored on three occasions, but Andy Carter saved smartly from James and both Gell and Maskell fired wide.