RYMAN PREMIER

Wealdstone 2-0 AFC Hornchurch

WEALDSTONE landed a huge psychological blow in the title race with a deserved win over fellow hopefuls AFC Hornchurch on Monday night.

Goals late in each half from Scott McGleish and Tom Pett respectively saw Stones gain revenge for the 6-1 FA Cup thrashing at the hands of the Urchins back in October.

While it brought just the usual three points for a win, the victory appeared worth more, serving to bring Gordon Bartlett’s men within two points of leaders Maidstone and second place Dulwich.

With four and three games in hand respectively, the men of The Vale would appear to be in the pound seats as the season enters its final phase.

Wealdstone, unchanged from Saturday’s 2-0 win over Thamesmead, made a bright start with Scott McGleish firing wastefully over on seven minutes when he had plenty of options in the box.

From there the expected war of attrition developed with Stones trying to impose their passing game on their Essex visitors who were pressing them high up the pitch.

However, the hosts were close on the half hour. Tom Pett burst into the box showing quick feet, but lifted the shot slightly, leaving the ball at a good height for Inigo Echepare to pull off a smart diving stop. The rebound came out to Luke Pigden who drove goal-wards only to see the shot blocked to safety.

The scare galvanised Hornchurch who launched a stunning counter with Leigh Bremner releasing Stefan Payne, but North charged out from goal to save with his legs.

Nevertheless Stones continued to press and made the breakthrough on 38 minutes. The hosts forced a succession of corners and the third saw Godfrey’s delivery reach the far post where Tom Hamblin headed back across for McGleish to volley into the roof of the net.

Pett nearly doubled the lead a minute later with a burst down the left and a low shot blocked by keeper Echepare and the hosts settled for a one-goal advantage at the break.

The second half brought an early scare when Cronin committed a clumsy challenge on a marauding George Purcell.

Cronin had been sent off in the FA Cup match between the two sides but this time Hamblin’s presence alongside him as cover saved him from greater punishment, a yellow card being deemed sufficient.

Stones then went close from a goalmouth scramble, but the lead remained slight as they dropped deeper in defence of the advantage.

The second goal they craved almost arrived on 73 minutes when Pett was sent clear, but a crucial touch deflected the ball behind. Hamblin was up well from the resulting set-piece but the header lacked power allowing the defender on the post to clear off the line.

Glen Little was sent on with 16 to play in place of Jonny Wright, yet the pressure increased with Michael Spencer not getting enough onto a ball over the top to trouble North.

Yet when Scott McCubbin was sent on in place of Michael Malcolm with six minutes left his impact was instant.

Escaping down the right he pulled the ball back for Pett who in turn teed up Little. The former Burnley man seemed to have overrun the ball but won it back and played it back to Pett who clipped his shot deliciously into the far corner to seal the points.

North beat out Joey May’s stoppage time drive to deny the visitors even the satisfaction of a consolation leading to several choruses of ‘Gordon Bartlett’s blue and white army’ at the final whistle.

The home fans will hope such songs are the sign of things to come on what is sure to be a rollercoaster of a run-in.