RYMAN LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION
Wealdstone 2 Billericay 0
A Sean Cronin penalty and a classy finish from Jonathan Wright on his return from injury saw Stones finally wear down their Essex visitors to go 13 points clear at the top for 24 hours at least.
The win was marred by news leading scorer Scott McGleish, who hobbled off in the first half, had popped a calf – an injury likely to have brought the curtain down on the 40-year-old striker’s season.
However, the Ex-Wycombe man’s 22 league goals in the campaign mean four more wins from the final eight games will guarantee Gordon Bartlett’s men the title and Conference South football next season.
Bartlett surprised many by naming an unchanged starting XI from the draw with Dulwich 48 hours earlier. However, Tom Hamblin and Jonny Wright were both back on the bench after injury.
Stones threatened for the first time on four minutes when McGleish chested a lofted pass into the path of Tom Pett and his chip beat Billericay keeper Bill Lumley, but dropped the wrong side of the post.
The two linked up again five minutes later for Pett to drift a ball towards the far post where Richard Halle headed behind for a corner which came to nothing.
The hosts were probing well but survived a scare on 16 minutes when Blues’ target man Ricky Sappleton charged forward before feeding the ball to the right to Isaac Layne.
There was no flag and Layne advanced on goal, but Jonathan North was out quickly to save with his feet.
Stones recovered well and were close again with a sweeping move culminating in a one-two between Pett and Penny which saw the latter’s shot turned behind by Lumley.
The rhythm was disrupted by the injury to McGleish who limped off on the half hour to be replaced by Wright.
Billericay seized on the loss of shape with Sappleton very close with a shot on the turn, but Stones responded with Pett’s slide rule pass for Scott McCubbin whose shot was deflected behind.
However, nerves were jangling as we reached half time goal less.
The opening minute of the second half did little to ease the tension as Elliott Godfrey lost possession allowing Glen Poole to hit a shot which deflected off Wes Parker into the hands of North.
Play immediately switched to the other end where Penny’s ball in deflected off Jeffrey Imudia and wriggled agonizingly wide, Wright stinging the palms of Lumley from the resulting corner.
Now there were chances at both ends and Stones were indebted to North for a smart stop from Layne after Cronin missed a long ball forward.
Thirteen minutes in the injury curse looked to have struck again as Wright was clattered by Lumley as they contested a high ball, but he was back on after treatment.
Billericay were defending resolutely and threatening on the counter and as we ticked into the last 20 minutes there was genuine concern among the Stones faithful valuable points would be lost on home turf for the second time in three days.
However, then came the pivotal moment that changed the mood.
Millwall loanee Charlie Penny, who led the line superbly never giving defenders a moment’s respite got the wrong side of Imudia who chopped him down.
The defender was booked and Sean Cronin brought roars from the Roy Couch stand as he thumped the penalty into the roof of the net.
The crowd were now engaged and in full voice trying to urge their tired heroes over the line.
Both Godfrey and Pett were hobbling, but the vital second came with 10 minutes left.
Jerome Okimo, outstanding again at left back was sent galloping down by the excellent Luke Pigden’s pass and when he pulled the ball back Wright finished beautifully to the far corner.
There was a last scare in stoppage time as Sappleton’s free-kick hit the junction of crossbar and post with North recovering brilliantly to parry a follow-up behind, before the final whistle brought rapturous applause in recognition of a big three points.
The hectic march – hopefully to glory – continues with Thursday night’s visit to East Thurrock.
