WEALDSTONE (Grosvenor Vale)

A "brucey bonus" today as there was a chance to sample some cup fever in North London, Ruislip to be exact. Wealdstone were taking on Football League Two side Rotherham United, but due to the high profile nature of the game, it was switched to the sunday which meant I was all over this like a rash!! This was Wealdstone biggest game in years and their first big game at Grosvenor Park, since taking over the tenancy from Ruislip Manor after being homeless for nigh on twenty years.

Rotherham were expected to easily see off The Stones, who play three league below in the Isthmian Premier League. Hey, this is cup football and you can't take anything for granted and the majority of the 1,638 crowd were hoping for a big upset.

It so nearly turned into a momentous day for the Stones, but sadly they fell just a little short. The opening half an hour was nip and tuck as both teams sussed each other out, but obviously Rotherham looked the bigger and fitter side.

It was an absolute fluke how they eventually took the lead on 33 minutes. Wealdstone goalkeeper Sean Thomas took too long to clear a back pass and it was chased down by Adam Le Fondre and as Thomas eventually got his laces on the ball, Le Fondre was there and the ball hit his arse and looped into the empty net. This was harsh on The Stones who were just beginning to find their feet.

The goal knocked the stuffing out of them and Rotherham took control. A few minutes later Thomas picked up a back pass and the referee awarded an indirect free kick 8 yards out, but the Stones survived this scare. However, it was no surprise when Rotherham did bag their second goal just before half time when ex-Chester man Kevin Ellison fired home from 20 yards. This would appear to be game over for Wealdstone.

The second half was a real non event for the first 15 minutes as Wealdstone huffed and puffed but Rotherham always had them at arms length, as the Millers looked to see out the game. However this all changed with half an hour to go when Danny Spendlove was introduced as a substitute. He almost turned the game around as he tormented Rotherham with his skill and pace. On 62 minutes he played a great pass through to Ryan Ashe who fired home to reduce the deficit. Wealdstone discovered the fighting spirit and Rotherham were on the backfoot. Another Spendlove pass sent Mark E'Bayer through and he should have levelled, but he fired just past the post.

Totally against the run of play Rotherham added a third with 9 minutes left, through a Drew Broughton header. This was incredibly cruel on Wealdstone and although Ryan Ashe bagged his second in stoppage time, it wasn't enough. There was still one last chance for the home side as a scramble from a corner hit a post, but with that the chance of an upset had gone. The home side left the field to huge applause and can feel justifiably proud of their efforts.



Sunday 8th November 2009

FA Cup 1st Round Proper

Wealdstone 2-3 Rotherham United

Attendance: 1,638