March 29, 2024
Last weekend’s 1-2 defeat at AFC Fylde confirmed relegation from the National League for Oxford City, being 16 points adrift with only 5 matches left to play. Whilst many expected this outcome, it was nevertheless frustrating as many Hoops fans thought their side was good enough to have survived at this level but for the large number of injuries to key players, and having lost too many games to late winners. Indeed, the midfield holy trinity of Ashby-Fleet-McEachran had not played one full half of a match together all season.
Wealdstone arrived on Good Friday in 16th place but only 3 points clear of the relegation zone, although they did have one, two or three games in hand on some of their rivals.
Wealdstone Background
Wealdstone were one of the founder members of the Alliance Premier League in 1979, and in 1984/85 won the non-league double, winning the Alliance and the FA Trophy. Unfortunately, this was before automatic promotion to the Football League and the rot soon set in, and they were relegated to the Southern League at the end of 1987/88.
A colleague at work at the time was a Wealdstone season ticket holder and played for the Wealdstone supporters football side. As I come from Crawley, and with them being in the same division, for four seasons ( 1988 to 1992 ) we both attended the home and away games between the two sides, where fortunately the results were pretty evenly spread, being 3-2-2 in favour of Wealdstone in the 7 games I watched, as neither side lit up the division.
I was also dragged along to watch a number of mid-week games in London, seeing Wealdstone lose at Harrow ( 0-1 ), draw at Hounslow ( 1-1 ) and Hayes ( 2-2 ) and beat VS Rugby at home 2-0.
I was also invited to play, initially as a ringer, for the Wealdstone supporters’ cricket team, who played in mid-week at the British Railways sports ground in Harrow, and became a regular in 1989, even captaining one game ( which we won ! ) when a few of their senior players were away.
In those days, Wealdstone played at the Lower Mead Stadium in north Harrow, but financial problems led to the loss of the ground at the end of 1990/91, forcing them to lead a nomadic life at Watford, Yeading, Edgeware Town and Northwood Town, until taking over Ruislip Manor’s Grosvenor Vale ground in 2008.
My last match watching Wealdstone had been in 2001/02, when they lost 2-4 at Thame United’s Windmill Road ground.
After languishing in the lower leagues, Wealdstone secured a return to Conference South for 2014/15, and were promoted back to the National League on a points per game basis after the 2019/20 season was terminated due to Covid.
Wealdstone This Season
Like Oxford City, Wealdstone are one of the few part-time sides in the National League. Prior to today they had a 12-11-15 record, but their strength had been at home, losing only 4 times. However, they had the division’s fourth worst away record, with just 4 wins ( at Dagenham & Redbridge, Maidenhead United, York City and AFC Fylde ).
Last time out Stones lost heavily in mid-week at Altrincham ( 1-4 ), with their results prior to this being a 1-1 draw with Kidderminster and a 0-1 defeat to Bromley, both at home.
Wealdstone had a decent run in the FA Trophy, eliminating lower division sides Billericay, Chelmsford City and Hendon before losing via a penalty shoot-out in the Quarter Finals after a 1-1 draw at home to Solihull Moors.
The Wealdstone squad contains 4 players with experience of playing for Crawley Town, namely Tanzania international midfielder Tarryn Allarakhia ( 2 caps ), Guyana midfielder Nathan Ferguson ( 1 cap ), defensive midfielder Brandon Mason and midfielder Aaron Henry, who is on loan from Charlton Athletic having been loaned to Crawley last year.
Other internationals at Wealdstone include midfielder Alex Dyer, who has won 28 caps for Montserrat, winger Dillon Da Silva has played 14 times for Sri Lanka and scored in their 2-0 victory over Bhutan this week, 18 year old forward Jaiden Bartolo has made one senior appearance for Gibraltar, and defender Kallum Cesay has 4 caps for Sierra Leone. Midfielder Sam Bowen is on loan from Newport Country and has 3 under 21 Welsh caps.
Attacking midfielder Max Kretzschmar started his career at Wycombe Wanderers, Dutch striker Manny Duku recently joined from Maidstone United, having been part of their giant-killing run in the FA Cup and has played for Inverness Caledonian Thistle, Raith Rovers and Cheltenham Town amongst others. Defender Jack Young is on loan from Wycombe and has played for Ayr United.
Sean Adarkwa was the top goal scorer for the Stones with 10 goals but was absent today.
Previous Meetings
Oxford City played each other for 5 seasons in Conference South between 2015/16 and 2019/20. During that period Oxford City won 4 of their 5 home games, scoring three times in every instance apart from their 0-3 defeat in 2016/17. The Hoops also had the edge at Wealdstone, with three draws and a 2-0 victory in 2018/19, before the Stones achieved a 1-0 win in 2019/20.
When the two sides met earlier this season, a tremendous free-kick from Josh Parker gave Oxford City an early lead, but Wealdstone came back to register a 3-1 victory, with Sam Bowen on the mark twice.
Matchday Information
Today’s match was not segregated and around 250 Stones fans had made the 40 odd mile journey down the M40.
After several showers earlier in the day, the weather at the Good Friday 15.00 kick-off time was dry but windy, and the temperature was 13 degrees.
Bet365 made Wealdstone 5/6 favourites, with Oxford City 3/1 outsiders and the draw at 11/4.
Wealdstone had 4 of their internationals returning after international duty as Dyer, Allarakhia, De Silva and Cesay all came back into their starting XI, whilst Ferguson was on the bench. Also amongst the substitutes was striker Tobi Adeyemo, who had signed on loan during the week from Watford, along with Duku, Henry and Mason from the side that started at Altrincham.
Wealdstone didn’t appear to be starting with a recognised striker against the side with the worst defensive record in the division, relying on two wingers and an attacking midfielder to play as a front three.
Oxford City made four changes from their side that lost at AFC Fylde, with Andre Burley returning after scoring for St Kitts and Nevis in their 3-1 win in San Marino ( let’s not mention the penalty he gave away ! ), and Phillips, Coyle and Krasniqi, replacing Roddy, Roberts, Kabongolo and Humphrey-Ewers, who were all on the bench. Interestingly, City had four defenders on the bench. Only three of the Oxford City side that started at Wealdstone in November were starting today.
Wealdstone were playing in an all pale yellow kit, whilst the Hoops were in their usual blue and white hoops.
Match Report
The home side were immediately on the attack and Moore’s right-wing cross was uncertainly headed off for a corner by Cook. The corner was hit low towards the near post and was cleared, but when Parker tried to cross back into the 6 yard box he was off-side on the left wing.
The first yellow card of the game took only three minutes to be brandished, as Fleet dived in on Kretschmar near the half-way line.
Wealdstone’s first foray into the Oxford City half saw Obiero set-up Allarakhia, but the shot from the edge of the area was blocked by Burley at the expense of a corner. Although the delivery was cleared, the ball was played through the square Oxford City back-line, but Allarakhia was just unable to reach it.
In the 9th minute a long ball out of the Wealdstone defence down the right-hand channel released Kretschmar, but no-one was on hand to convert his his low ball across the 6 yard line. As the visitors continued to press, Mundle-Smith’s cross from the left was too high for Obiero, and then De Silva robbed Moore close to the corner flag, but his ball into the danger zone was eventually cleared by Fleet after some hesitant defending.
The Hoops response was for O’Connell to send a long ball down the left wing, and whilst Coyle looked off-side the linesman was out of position so play continued, but Parker and Ashby got in each other’s way when the ball was played into the Wealdstone area, and Cook was able to clear.
In the 16th minute Phillips played Burley into trouble and Obiero won the ball, but Burley was able to make an important tackle, and although Obiero went to ground and the Stones’ supporters appealed for a penalty, play continued.
Three minutes later, a long ball from Krasniqi put Greenslade ahead of the covering defender, but on the stretch, the on-loan Bristol Rovers forward could only steer the ball over the bar. The impressive Krasaniqi, on his full debut then played in Ashby, whose shot from the edge of the area beat the diving keeper, but unfortunately for him, also the far post.
The Hoops were starting to get on top and Krasniqi went down inside the area after a challenge, but again the referee was unmoved.
However, the first goal of the game arrived in the 24th minute. Oxford City had a good move involving Parker, Greenslade and Ashby, and Coyle was found in space on the left wing. His cross to the far post was met by Parker whose header hit the back of Wealdstone defender Barker, but Parker latched onto the loose ball to prod past keeper Dewhurst from 6 yards as the ball trickled slowly into the far corner. 1-0 after 24 minutes.
Wealdstone’s Dyer then scythed into Greenslade wide out on the right after a nice move between Moore and Ashby, but no card was shown. From Ashby’s free-kick Phillips rose the highest but his header from 6 yards went narrowly wide. It was a good chance to double the home side’s lead.
Krasniqi then committed a blatant foul on De Silva to stop him as he broke from half-way but again the referee kept his card in his pocket. From the 30 yard free-kick Kretzschmar’s curling effort went just over the bar.
Wealdstone were trying to get back into the game and another long ball sent Obiero clear. Phillips did well to make the forward turn away from goal, but Stones were able to recycle the ball back to Obiero, whose shot was tipped over the bar by keeper Watson. The corner was overhit and resulted in a throw-in to Oxford City.
Allarakhia then raced clear down the right-wing but from his low cross, Kretschmar was teed up for a shot, but his low effort was blocked by Phillips, who was probably having his best game for The Hoops since signing in mid-February.
At the other end, Fleet’s smart pass put Coyle in on goal but his control was poor and the chance was gone as Cook dispossessed him.
Allarakhia then made a promising run from the half-way line and then shimmied onto his left foot, only to blaze over the clubhouse from the edge of the area.
After 38 minutes, Parker’s chest control produced a lay-off to Krasniqi who brushed past two would be tacklers to sent a 20 yard attempt towards goal, but Dewhurst made a good save to tip the ball over the bar. Ashby’s corner was met by Krasniqi but his header was well held by Dewhurst, who made the save look easier than it probably was.
Wealdstone’s best chance of the game so far came in the 41st minute. Dyer’s forceful shot struck O'Connell on the body and whilst the Stones fans behind the goal appealed for handball, play continued and the ball was reworked to Allarakhia, whose shot from a tight angle on the right smacked into the side netting.
Mundle-Smith then opted to go for goal from 25 yards but his left-footed effort was straight at keeper Watson, who made a regulation save. With the interval approaching, the visitors continued to search for the equaliser, De Silva passed to Obiero inside the Hoops area but Burley and Phillips combined to close him down to concede a corner. The corner wasn’t defended well, but a Wealdstone pass from the partial clearance was intercepted by Greenslade, who set-off from the edge of his own penalty box into the vacant space ahead of him. However, Allarakhia produced a tremendous sliding tackle to prevent him running the length of the pitch.
In added on time, an incisive through pass put Kretschmar in on goal, but as he attempted to go around the keeper, he sadly cynically opted to dive for the penalty rather than try to score, but both the linesman and the referee were not fooled, and a free-kick was awarded to Oxford City. Strangely, no yellow card was produced for this blatant simulation.
At the break, Oxford City led 1-0 but it had been an even half, and both sides had chances to add to the goal tally against two average looking defences. Just before the second period started, the heavens opened but fortunately the deluge only last around 5 minutes.
Wealdstone make a change at half-time, with Duku coming on for Da Silva, which was a bit of a surprise, as along with Allarakhia he had looked the most potent threat for the Stones in the first half. Perhaps he had jet-lag, but consequently Allarakhia moved to the left wing and Obiero to the right as Duku played down the middle.
The first piece of action saw Greenslade show good skill to dummy Cook and run onto the ball, but he spoilt his good work with a poor pass to Parker being intercepted by Barker.
Five minutes into the second half a nice through ball gave Allarakhia a sniff of the goal, but a vital sliding tackle by Phillips averted the danger at the expense of a corner. At the other Moore was put clear down the right-wing but he turned into trouble and the chance was wasted.
In the 53rd minute, the home side had their best passing move of the match as Fleet, Coyle, Parker, Ashby, Parker again and Coyle combined to win a corner. The set-piece was sent long where the header from Phillips hit Duku to go off for another corner. However, Dewhurst then made a good claim from Ashby’s delivery. Shortly after, Coyle sent a very optimistic 30 yard effort several feet wide.
A dangerous ball from Allarakhia looked to have put Duku clear with a 1 on 1 with Watson, but he was flagged two yards offside, and in any case Watson saved his shot on goal.
Oxford City were increasing in confidence as the visitors were starting to lack ideas, and Cesay’s cross from the right was meat and drink for Watson to catch. Kretzschmar attempted to play in Doku but the forward’s touch was poor and Watson came off his line to dive at Doku’s feet and claim the ball.
A last throw of the dice from Wealdstone’s management saw Adeyemo and Mason introduced for Obiero and Kretzschmar. However, it was the Hoops who created the next chance when Fleet sent a delicate chip over the defence line for Ashby to get to the by-line. Although his low ball was blocked, the loose ball fell to Coyle, whose effort struck an out-stretched defender’s leg, and looped over the bar.
Wealdstone were starting to stir though and Cook went on a marauding run towards the Oxford City area. His attempted pass was deflected back to him and his first time 20 yard left footed effort forced Watson into making a decent diving push away. When the ball was played back towards the near post the home defence happily conceded the corner. The set-piece was played into the near post, and Watson was perhaps fortunate to be awarded a free-kick for a foul when juggling the ball when attempting to make the catch.
With 15 minutes remaining, Bowen’s hopeful 30 yard pot-shot sailed several yards over the bar. At the other end Birtwistle skipped past Mundle-Smith but his low cross was partially blocked. The Hoops were able to play in Ashby, who beat two defenders close to the by-line but his pull-back to Parker was put out for a corner by Barker to prevent a tap-in. The corner fizzed across the 6 yard line, and just over the head of O’Connell.
The visitors’ desperation was perhaps summed up 8 minutes from time when Mason showed good control to keep the ball in play on the left side of the park, and when the ball was played across the home area via Allarakhia, it eventually reached Cesay, whose finish from around 10 yards was slashed wildly out of the stadium.
Wealdstone created another good chance when a corner wasn’t dealt with properly and Allarakhia did well to hook a ball going out of play across the face of the goal, where Duku could only shoot into the side netting. Some of the Stones fans prematurely started to celebrate a goal as the net bulged, only to be disappointed.
As the game moved into 4 minutes of added on time, the home side had by now brought on Roddy and Kabongolo, so had 6 defenders on the field as they attempted to hang onto their lead.
There then followed a strange passage of play when Stones’ keeper Dewhurst went down after a late challenge from Ashby forcing play to be held-up. Almost immediately, Hoops keeper Watson went down holding his foot, after what I presumed was a retaliatory off-the-ball foul, having not seen the incident myself.
The visiting fans again appealed loudly for a handball after the ball hit Moore, but play was waved on, then a low cross was cleared by Phillips. The ball was pumped into the mixer forcing Watson to make a diving punch away, and after a scramble where Barker’s header was blocked, Oxford City were able to clear their lines.
That was the last piece of goalmouth action as Oxford City hung on their first league win since late January and to bring to an end a run of just two points from 11 games, and extended their excellent home record against the Stones.
Wealdstone slipped to 20th, three points clear of the relegation zone, and with games in hand, but they probably would need to improve on this performance if they are to pull clear of danger. The shocking runs of Boreham Wood, Kidderminster and Dorking Wanderers might also save them.
Highlights : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nO-2qURdK8E
Oxford City FC : Watson – Burley ( Birtwistle ), Phillips, O’Connell – Moore, Fleet, Ashby, Krasniqi, Coyle ( Kabongolo ) – Parker, Greenslade ( Roddy )
Wealdstone FC : Dewhurst – Cesay, Cook, Barker, Mundle-Smith – Bowen, Dyer, De Silva ( Duku ) – Allarakhia, Kretzschmar ( Mason ), Obiero ( Adeyemo )
Interesting, nice photos of fanzine and programme from 1989
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