Report
Leyton Pennant handed Wealdstone the points at the very end of a bad-tempered game at Wadham Lodge on Saturday.
In the 93rd minute, with the score at 1-1, Lilywhites goalkeeper Shaun O’Neill came to collect a corner but dropped the ball and it was bundled across the line.
The game had been heading for a draw but Pennant missed out on a deserved point and are still caught up in the relegation battle at the bottom of the Ryman League first division.
Wealdstone made the stronger start to the game and O’Neill was by far the busier of the two goalkeepers in the opening half an hour.
However, he only had one real save to make, tipping away a looping header in the 28th minute, and Pennant gradually fought their way back into things.
They took the lead just before half-time after a defensive mistake gave Billy Cove acres of space in the Wealdstone half. He looked up, picked his spot and let fly from all of 30 yards with a fierce drive which left the Wealdstone keeper rooted to the spot.
Adrian Allen almost doubled the advantage five minutes into the second half when he latched on to a poor pass from a Wealdstone defender.
He rode the covering tackle but lacked composure as he bore down on goal and shinned the ball high over the bar.
Allen’s pace tormented the visitors for most of the game and, with a little more luck, he could have put the game out of their reach.
At the other end, Pennant were coping comfortably with everything Wealdstone could throw at them until an equaliser appeared out of the blue.
Young winger Brian Jones had been the Stone’s main attacking outlet and, in the 61st minute, he scored a goal which put even Cove’s earlier effort into the shade.
Ian Waugh made a surge from the back and chipped the ball up for his colleague, who swivelled as the ball dropped over his shoulder on the edge of the box, and let rip with an unstoppable volley.
The Lilywhites dominated the closing stages of the game without finding a finish and they were punished for their wastefulness by O’Neill’s error.
Pennant manager Lyndon Lynch said: “It was a shame the game ended like that after everyone had worked so hard.
“The first two goals of the game were great strikes and a draw would have been a fairer result. In fact, I think we were the better team and only the quality of our finishing let us down.”
Fan trouble
Rowdy visiting fans were involved in some unsavoury scenes with Leyton Pennant players and officials at Wadham Lodge on Saturday.
A group of travelling fans had walked from Wealdstone in Essex for the Ryman League Division Two match to raise funds for a new home ground.
Upon early arrival for the game they made themselves at home in the club bar.
Pennant officials were abused by drunken fans before the game even started — despite providing hospitality and laying on a spread of food.
The ill-feeling continued even once the game kicked off.
The Wealdstone contingent swelled the Pennant crowd to more than 200 but they made few friends.
Pennant boss Lyndon Lynch said: “Their fans definitely tried to intimidate our players but until the final few minutes I think we rose above it and just tried to get on with our football.”
Several of the culprits have been banned from Wealdstone home games but they travel to away games.
Pennant press officer Andy Perkins said: “The behaviour of their supporters was disgusting. We hope this doesn’t happen again.”