WEALDSTONE face an uphill task to reach Wembley despite a stirring rally against AFC Newport in the FA Trophy semi-final first leg in south Wales today.
Two down after 21 minutes Stones kept the dream alive with a poacher’s finish from Richard Jolly early in the second half, only for substitute Darryl Knight’s late goal to restore the two-goal cushion once more.
Stones, with David Hicks, James Hammond and Scott Fitzgerald drafted in for the suspended trio of Alan Massey, Chris O’Leary and Connor Smith, created the first chance in just the second minute as the recalled Scott Fitzgerald flicked on to Richard Jolly who released lee Chappell down the left.
The winger’s cross looked destined for Fitzgerald, but a last-ditch tackle cleared the danger.
However, on six minutes the visitors were behind in controversial circumstances. North raced from goal to clear a ball forward.
His header from outside the box appeared to strike Elliott Buchanan on the hand, but the striker lobbed the ball over the stranded keeper and despite protests from Gordon Bartlett’s men the goal stood.
The underdogs responded well as Jolly headed over from Chappell’s long throw and only a tight offside decision in the 14 th minute stopped Fitzgerald racing clear.
Wes Parker then failed to find either Jolly or Chappell when he was not flagged for offside and both team-mates were free in the box However, Newport were dangerous going forward and doubled the lead on 21 minutes.
North tipped over Buchannan’s volley, and though Gary Warren’s initial header from the set piece struck the underside of the bar, Nat Jarvis reacted first to bundle in the rebound.
Stones were on the rack for a while and Jarvis was close again from the next corner, heading just over, before Peter Dean’s careless loss of possession allowed Buchanan to force a smart parry from North with his long-range shot.
Whatever Bartlett said at the interval the response was superb and Stones halved the deficit on 49 minutes David Hicks’ superb cross-field ball found Fitzgerald who crossed into the box. Jolly’s initial shot was blocked by a combination of defender and goalkeeper, but predator he is the striker regained his balance to score his 36 th of the season.
For a few minutes the Conference side were shaky, Ismail Yakubu hacking behind for a corner from Stones next attack.
Stones survived a goalmouth scramble from a 59 th minute free-kick , while more indecisive defending from Dean and James Hammond allowed substitute Luke Harris a sight of goal with 20 minutes to go, but Hicks blocked the eventual shot behind.
The semi-professionals were feeling it by now against their full-time professional hosts, but Dean came close to a leveller with quarter of an hour left, his skidding shot forcing Thompson to dive full length to claw behind.
Just three minutes though disaster, as Scott McCubbin’s slip allowed David Pipe to race to the by-line and when his cross fell to the feet of substitute Darryl Knights he planted his close range shot inside the near post.
