Storm-tossed Wealdstone FC come soggy second

Mar 6 2009 By Tim Edwards, Harrow Observer

Wealdstone 1 Billericay Town 2

Wealdstone's preferred passing game went out of the window on Tuesday night as gale force winds and driving rain all but blew them off course for a play-off place this season.

Keiron Forbes' goal gave the hosts a fortunate first half lead before Billericay stole the points with goals from Jamie Dormer and Dave Wareham in appaling conditions at Grosvenor Vale.

"We never did enough in the first half and never took advantage of the conditions with the wind behind us," said boss Gordon Bartlett.

"Towards the end the game looked as if it was on the verge of being abandoned as there was a lot of surface water.

"But I think we've got to say we've contributed to our own defeat as we never had enough strikes on goal in the first half and never adapted to the conditions at all. It was impossible to get the ball down and play."

"I think we were a bit naive," he continued.

"Kieron (Forbes) lost the ball in the middle of the park, Sean (Thomas) made a good save and the ball was cleared.

"But one of their strikers picked it up on the edge of the box and picked his spot when we would have been tighter on him.

"For their second Hicksy (David Hicks) gave away a free kick and Chapps (Lee Chappell) should have headed it away.

"We didn't put enough pressure on their goalkeeper and if you don't do that you don't score goals."

Bartlett admits the dressing room was deflated after the game but says they must bounce back if they are to take a step closer to reaching the 50 point barrier required to ensure safety.

"They were very down as they just did not deliver," he added.