Sunday 4th January 2009
Spartans B 0 Wealdstone A 2
In a keenly contested game Wealdstone’s superior possession proved too much for a well-organised and battling Spartans. Wealdstone took control of the game from the first minute of the game when Mitchell Raynor’s effort was well saved by the Spartans keeper. Another Mitchell Raynor effort was disallowed when Mitchell was judged to have kicked the ball out of the keeper’s hands before coolly tucking the ball in the back of the net. Wealdstone, building from the back as usual continued to take the game to Spartans and were rewarded with a penalty kick after the busy Mitchell Raynor was upended after another skilful run. Harry Laflin neatly executed the penalty. Wealdstone continued to be the attacking side and should have gone into half time ahead by more than the one goal, however Spartans had their moments and a crucial double save by Wealdstone Keeper Bradley Dowsett maintained the one goal advantage.
The second half was very similar to the first half except this time the chances which fell Wealdstone’s way were easier to finish. Continued good work by Charlie Evans in attack created three good chances which were well saved by the Spartans keeper. Wealdstone’s second goal was again scored by centre back Harry Laflin from an Adam Fowler corner which was only half cleared from the defending side. Wealdstone kept up their superb work rate and saw a good effort from Adam Fowler creep just past the post after some fine individual work and also a shot from the edge of the penalty area by Liam Hanley come back off the post. Spartans, however, kept a great shape and to their credit attacked at the Wealdstone back four which stood firm for the whole of the one hour game with George Morris, Joe Noon and Liam Brannagan taking a lot of credit for their team effort. Wealdstone saw the game out with the midfield lead by George King, Tatsuki, Joe Averkiou and Miles Carroll being in control to the end. Centre forward Tom Keeble had to come off after twenty minutes due to illness but I am sure he will be raring to go at training next Saturday
Wealdstone Line up: Bradley Dowsett, George Morris, Harry Laflin, Joe Noon, Liam Brannagan, Adam Fowler, George King, Joe Averkiou, Tatsuki, Tom Keeble, Mitchell Raynor. Subs: Liam Hanley, Miles Carroll, Charlie Evans
Scorer/s: Harry Laflin 2 (1 pen). Man of the match: Adam Fowler.
Sunday 18th January 2009
Hillingdon Abbots 0 Wealdstone A 6
In this League division two game, 3rd place hosted 2nd place in which the result represented the difference between the two sides. From the first minute Wealdstone set the pattern with Fowler and King controlling the game and Averkiou and Brannagan giving the visitors the width required to dominate an opposition. The forward line for Wealdstone were a constant threat to Hillingdon’s defence and the only surprise with that the half time score of 2-0 to Wealdstone when it should really have been 4 or 5. Wealdstone played some great football in a one sided first half and two clinical finishes from Keeble stamped Wealdstone’s authority on the game, however, some poor finishing from the away side kept the game in the balance.
Wealdstone continued to dominate in the second half and two goals in the first ten minutes from Fowler and Jones sealed the victory. As the match headed towards the final whistle Hillingdon Abbotts resistance faded and Wealdstone’s passing game was rewarded with two more goals from O’Conner and Jones to make a realistic result to the game dominated by the visitors. Wealdstone host Hillingdon Abbotts in next week’s league game and there must be no let up by Wealdstone as the prospect of promotion becomes more of a possibility
Line up: B. Dowsett, G. Morris, H. Laflin J. Noon, L.Brannagan, J.Averkiou, A.Fowler, G.King, M.Carroll, T.Keeble, M.Raynor, SUBS: L.Hanly, M.O’Connor, L.Jones
Scorers: Tom Keeble (2), Adam Fowler, Luke Jones (2), Mark O’Conner
Man of the Match: Mitchell Raynor
Sunday 1st February 2009
Forest United 1 Wealdstone 2
In this Second Division game between first placed Forest United and second placed Wealdstone, this game could possibly be seen as the winning team being labelled as the champions of this league. Springfield, Hillingdon Abbots and Pinner United would argue that statement but both teams have achieved a gap between themselves and the rest of the teams through continually playing good football.
Both sides realised the importance match, with the winners gaining an advantage over their opponents. Both managers would have given a pre-match team talk expressing the importance of keeping it tight from the outset of the game. 90 seconds into the game and the score line reads Forest United 1 Wealdstone 1. It’s good to see the lads listen to their managers.
Wealdstone take the kick off to start the game and within 40 seconds Forest United have gained control and managed to scramble the ball into the Wealdstone goal to gain a one goal advantage. Wealdstone reacted in fantastic fashion by equalising within 1 minute through a Mark O’Conner goal, which was converted after a scramble in the Forest penalty area following a great run by the scorer Mark O’Conner. The first half was a close affair with Wealdstone being slightly the stronger side.
The second half saw Wealdstone take control of the game, creating enough chances to win the game comfortably with their passing game creating numerous chances. The winning goal was again a scrappy affair with a second Mark O’Conner goal sealing the victory for Wealdstone. The league leaders are now Wealdstone, who through their team work, passing game and individual ability have deservedly put themselves at the top of the league and now have to continue to apply themselves in the same manor in order to win the league.
I believe at this moment in time there is no better team than Wealdstone under 11’s ‘A’ it is for the players to prove that I am right in my opinion.
Sunday 15th February 2009
A hat-trick by Joe Averkiou and a brace by Charlie Evans enabled first placed Wealdstone to comprehensively beat a defensive minded Pinnstars. After the extreme weather we have experienced the pitch was understandably heavy and in the penalty areas almost unplayable, coupled with a Pinnstars side which defended in numbers this result by Wealdstone was all the more impressive.
Pinnstars took the lead after 15 minutes totally against the run of play with a slick counter attack and equally cool finish from the Pinnstars forward. Wealdstone‘s reaction was first class and Charlie Evans equalised five minutes later with a fine finish. Wealdstone pressed Pinnstars back at every opportunity and were rewarded with a Joe Averkiou goal after another good move down the left.
The second half saw Wealdstone grow in confidence and totally dominate Pinnstars with man of the match George King being instrumental in most of Wealdstone’s good build up play and Joe Noon being Mr dependable again. Again the Wealdstone defence were in control with Harry Laflin playing for the team rather than himself and many of the passing moves being orchestrated by Liam Brannagan and also George Morris adding an attacking quality to his already superb defensive attributes. Joe Averkiou and Charlie Evans were again on hand to score the second half goals to finish of Pinnstars and retain their number one spot in the league, long may it continue.
Team: Bradley Dowsett, George Morris, Liam Brannagan, Harry Laflin, Joe Noon, Joe Averkiou, Mark O’Connor, Adam Fowler, George King, Charlie Evens, Luke Jones SUBS : Liam Hanley, Miles Carroll, Tom Keeble
Goalscorers: Joe Averkiou 3, Charlie Evans 2
Man of the Match: George King
Sunday 22nd February 2009
Harrow St Mary's 1 Wealdstone 0
Wealdstone could not find their way through Harrow’s dogged defending on a pitch which would always be difficult to play on. The game stated with Wealdstone looking as if they would come away with a convincing victory, creating good opportunities early on with Harry Laflin going close following a George King corner. Wealdstone looked dangerous from corners early on but failed to create chances in open play with the midfield being bogged down by Harrows disciplined shape. In a first half of few chances the sides went in at half time goalless with Wealdstone being the better side.
The second half was a different story with Harrow coming more into the game as a frustrated and below par Wealdstone losing their shape and at times discipline, Wealdstone huffed and puffed their way through the game and despite giving 100% effort began to run out of ideas as the game wore on allowing harrow to show their offensive side of their game. The only goal of the game was scored on a breakaway with the Harrow forward line catching the Wealdstone defence asleep. With Wealdstone again creating half chances in the Harrow box a Tom Keeble shot was charged down and the loose ball cleared out of danger catching the Wealdstone defence the wrong side of the Harrow forward line, the centre forward for Harrow took his chance superbly giving the exposed Wealdstone goal keeper Bradley Dowsett no chance in this one on one confrontation.
The goal sparked urgency into the Wealdstone game but very little guile. The stones had lots of possession but created very little, the nearest they came was a flicked shot by Mark O'Connor coming back of the cross bar after an Adam Fowler shot found its way through a congested penalty area. The last ten minutes saw Wealdstone lose their shape as they desperately went on the search for an equaliser leaving gaps at the back which was nearly exploited by Harrow, with only keeper Bradley Dowsett preventing the scoreline being increased.
This is a set back for Wealdstone in their pursuit for the league but one which can be overcome with the correct character being shown. It is up to the players to show the character needed and the coaches and parents to encourage the boys, only time will tell if lessons have been learned.
UP THE STONES!!
Sunday 1st March 2009
PINNER ALBION 2 WEALDSTONE 3 With Adam Fowler rested Mark O'Connor was given the central midfield role and he responded with what proved to be the winning goal. With Mark's attacking style George King was given the job of keeping the midfield together and his response was typically unselfish where George worked tirelessly to keep the opposition at bay. Wealdstone started the game on the front foot, dominating possession and playing some great one touch football. The interchange of passes on the left between Liam Brannagan, Miles Carrol and Mitchell Raynor was presenting problems to the Pinner Albion back line, and it was good to see Joe Averkiou return causing problems down the right. The opening goal came from another Joe Averkiou run and cross which was neatly controlled and finished from Mitchell Raynor from 12 yards out. Wealdstone doubled their lead when Mitchell was upended in the penalty area and Harry Laflin despatched the spot kick in a typically smooth finish. The game should have been all over with the score 2-0 and really only one team in the game, however a contender for goal of the season from the Albion’s centre midfielder gave the game a new edge. The goal came out of nothing when the scorer cracked an unstoppable shot from fully 30 yards out into the top corner leaving keeper Bradley Dowsett no chance. The 2-1 half time scoreline gave Albion a new found confidence and the second half was more closely contested, but when Mark O'Connor won the ball in the Albion penalty area and clinically finished to restore the two goal cushion the looked beyond Albion. Game over you would think, not Albion though who carried the game to Wealdstone and pulled a goal back through a Joe Noon own goal with 15 minutes remaining. Either side could have scored from here on as Albion took the game to Wealdstone in pursuit of an equaliser and Wealdstone looking dangerous on the break with Luke Jones working busily upfront, in the end Wealdstone held out for a nervy victory, which over the 60 minutes was deserved because of their first half display. Wealdstone are to face four tough games between now and the end the season which I am sure will keep the watching parents on the edge of their nerves, lets give the boys all our support in the final run of the season Wealdstone 2 St Andrews 4 Wealdstone’s current poor form continued in this defeat with St Andrews in which the visitors left the Vale with a deserved victory. St.Andrews started the game the stronger a created some decent half chances without really troubling keeper Bradley Dowsett, Wealdstone slowly got into their rythem and stated to create some half chances of their own with Mitchell Raynor having the best chance but unable to find the target with his header from an Adam fowler corner. The only goal of the first half came after twenty minutes when St Andrews broke down the left with relative ease and the cross was tapped in from fully three yards, what was disappointing from the defence was the lack of challenges and the non marking from the cross. The first period of the second half was similar to the goal where St Andrews attacked and Wealdstone were unable to give up much resistance,the second goal was on the cards but un predictable in it execution. Bradley Dowsett’s drop goal was met on the volley from the blonde centre midfielder, who was easily the best player on the pitch, as soon as he hit the ball you could see there was to be only one outcome as Bradley tried in vain to parry the ball away only to see the ball nestle in the back of the net.Wealdstone remained on the back foot for a large percentage of the game and were 4-0 down before they decided to give the game a go. The third St Andrews goal was scored directly from a corner when the scorer used the high winds to his advantage, when you concede goals like this you its not meant to be your day and the fourth duly came from a simple cross and tap in. Wealdstone to their credit showed good charcter by taking the remainder of the game to St Andrews and got two consulation goals from Adam Fowler and Charlie Evans which gave the score line some respectability. The league may be slipping away from Wealdstone but the lads must keep putting in their customary 100% effort and hope other sides slip up in the same manner, the boys are having a great season and must keep performing until the end of the season. UP THE STONES Line up: Bradley Dowsett, George Morris, Liam Brannagan, harry Laflin, Joe Noon, Joe Averkiou, Adam Fowler, Mark O’Conner, Miles Carrol, Luke Jones, Mitchell Raynor SUBS : Liam Hanley, Tatsuki, Charlie Evans Scorers: Adam Fowler, Charlie Evans MOTM: Joe Noon
Wealdstone opponents have been resilient and hard to beat in recent games and today was no exception with Pinner Albion giving Wealdstone a run for their money right up to the final whistle. After last weeks defeat to Harrow St Mary's, Wealdstone needed to respond in a positive manner and the reaction was first class as the visitors took early control of the match.
UP THE STONES
Line Up: Bradley Dowsett, George Morris, Harry Laflin, Joe Noon, Liam Brannagan, Joe Averkiou, George King, mark O'Connor, Miles Carroll, Tom Keeble, Mitchell Raynor. Subs: Liam Hanley, Tatsuki, Luke Jones
Scorers: Mitchell Raynor, Harry Laflin (Pen), Mark O'Connor
MOTM: Joe Noon
WEALDSTONE 11 PINNER ALBION 1
Wealdstone bounced back to form in dramatic fashion with a 10 goal victory against an under strengthed but strong pinner Albion.The first half performance is one of the top four performances of the season by Wealdstone which we had come to take for granted at the start of the season, but had been not seen since the turn of the new year.Wealdstone's strength of pass and move had been forgotten in the pursuit of success and the players and coaches had forgotten that the side were top because of their style of football and instead started to play percentage football which is a desired style for middle of the table teams. Today the ball was moved with great effect and simplicity and the reward was a glut of goals in a one sided second half.
Wealdstone dominated from the first minute to the last, that is not a cliche, that is a fact. Two first half goals were the least Wealdstone deserved with both forwards Luke Jones and Charlie Evans scoring. Luke looked to be enjoying his football again and Charlie added the passing game into his dribbling style to become one of the most effective players on the pitch.Wealdstone quickly put the game beyond any doubt with three early goals in the second half. Wealdstone ran riot with Charlie Evans completing his hat trick, Joe Averkiou contributing with a hat trick, a brace from Luke Jones and additional goals from Tom Keeble, Adam Fowler and Harry Laflin sealed a great victory for the Stones. A great style of football was played through out the team and most of the play was orchestrated by man of the match George King in centre midfield.
Recently Wealdstone have somewhat laboured through games and the results of one win and two defeats are proof of our lack of form, the lads stopped passing as a team and became eleven individuals. Today against Pinner Albion the lads were asked to start releasing the ball earlier and simply going back to the pass and move style in which we are strongest, again the boys responded in positive manner in which we have come to expect, some of the football played was excellent and the one-two combination moves were of a very high standard. Two more games to go and Wealdstone must try and play the same style of football, if they do then who knows what can be achieved this season.
UP THE STONES
Line Up: Bradley Dowsett, George Morris, Harry Laflin, Joe Noon, Liam Brannagan, Joe Averkiou, Adam Fowler, George King, Tatsuki, Luke Jones, Charlie Evans. SUBS : Liam Hanley, Miles Carroll, Tom Keeble
Scorers: Charlie Evans 3, Joe Averkiou 3, Luke Jones 2, Tom Keeble, Adam Fowler, Harry Laflin
MOTM: Geroge King
