The Journeyman - A FM 21 Story

[jasontoddwhitt]

[jasontoddwhitt]

MATCH REPORT | Fylde 1-1 Wealdstone

Wealdstone needed a second-half effort to force a 1-1 draw against AFC Fylde at Mill Farm.

Experienced striker Jordan Hulme gave Fylde the lead with a volley after the ball deflected off of keeper Jacob Russell within the six-yard box in the 42nd minute. Ben Stephens equalized for Wealdstone after 59 minutes with a mighty effort.

Wealdstone outshot Fylde 12-5 but struggled to get shots on target. Wealdstone also struggled to maintain possession, only holding a 52-48 possession advantage

Wealdstone: Russell, Meekings, Agyakwa, Spencer-Adams (Barrett), Efete, Wishart (Stevens), Pickert, Cornish (Dyer), Gibson-Hammond, Stephens, Norton

Subs not used: Askew, Hutchinson

Manager Drew Welch: I don't have any real specific opinions on the match. We had a disappointing first half, but that goal we gave up was something else. Maybe if Russell doesn't touch the ball, then it goes safely wide instead of going right to the foot of Hulme.

It took quite an individual effort and shot from Ben to get us a point. Could've used the three points today, but it is what it is.

BT Sport Highlights

[studbucket]

Some really good looking goals and almost goals for a 1-1 game. Fylde's first offside goal was quite a pass.

Does manager Welch have Wealdstone playing very narrowly? Or was that a coincidence in the highlights that I watched? (for instance, on the time leading up to the goal, most players were in the middle band of the field, not along the touchlines.

[jasontoddwhitt]

Quote: Originally Posted by studbucket

Some really good looking goals and almost goals for a 1-1 game. Fylde's first offside goal was quite a pass. Does manager Welch have Wealdstone playing very narrowly? Or was that a coincidence in the highlights that I watched? (for instance, on the time leading up to the goal, most players were in the middle band of the field, not along the touchlines.

That situation was mostly coincidental, as both wingbacks were almost tucked in like two DMs for some reason.

We do look to focus our play through the middle (we run a 5-2-1-2), but my wingbacks are instructed to run wide when they are in possession of the ball to give us some width to keep teams honest. Fylde defended very narrowly in this match and forced us wide. Looking at our focus of attack stats for this match, we were only 29% down the middle. In our previous match against Chesterfield, that number was 44%, which is around the range we normally hang around at.

[jasontoddwhitt]

CLUB NEWS

Wealdstone add defender from Watford

Wealdstone has taken advantage of their club ties with Watford, securing another Watford academy prospect to bolster their ranks.

20-year-old Ghanaian center-back Derek Agyakwa has joined Wealdstone on loan until the end of the season. Agyakwa spent last season on loan with Weymouth, where he made 40 appearances with an average match rating of 6.63 as the Terras were relegated from the National League last season. This year, Agyakwa has been playing in the U23 Professional Development League for Watford's reserve side, where he ranks second in headers won (61), 2nd in clearances (98), and 8th in interceptions made (46).

"Initial training sessions show he may already be a starter on this team," said manager Drew Welch. "His ability in the air is unquestioned and I was surprised at how good he is at marking opponents at such a young age. He's definitely wise beyond his years."

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Wealdstone fall in extra-time thriller

Sometimes, you just have to throw your hands up and give a round of applause to the opposing goalkeeper.

Billericay keeper Harry Palmer did an amazing job today, stopping nine Wealdstone shots as Billericay was able to force extra time. In extra time, Billericay carved up Wealdstone on the counter as the Stones looked to push forward to get a goal. Instead, Billericay scored two goals in a span of three minutes as the National League South side shocked Wealdstone out of the FA Trophy.

"The match should've never gotten to extra time, but a credit to their keeper," said manager Drew Welch. "He made some fantastic saves today, especially on what I thought was a couple of sitters. In extra time, we started chasing the result and they made us pay for it."

"They are a good side, and they very well could be up here with us next year seeing as they are second in the National League South," added Welch.

Medical Centre

-- ST Danny Parish - Currently in the rehabilitation phase of recovery following specialist treatment for a torn thigh muscle suffered during Wealdstone's 0-0 draw against Boreham Wood on December 18th. His expected return date to training is February 13th.

Fans Choice Voting

1. MF Rick Pickert -- 5 apps, 1 assist, 0.03 xG, 7.12 rating
2. ST Dominic Hutchinson -- 2+2 apps, 1 goal, 1 assist, 1.40 xG, 7.20 rating
3. ST Ben Stephens -- 3+1 apps, 2 goals, 0.44 xG, 7.10 rating



Our performances have been consistently inconsistent for a while now. We're still very much in the conversation of making the promotion playoffs, but we've got to get on a consistent run of results.

Goal scoring has been an issue all year for us. It's why we rank in the bottom half of the league. Our defense though has been our saving grace, as we are top ten in goals allowed. It's the one thing giving us a fighting chance here. We need Parish back badly.

[jasontoddwhitt]

MATCH REPORT | Wealdstone 1-2 Barnet

They were founding members of the Alliance Premier League (today's National League) back in 1979-80, fierce rivals during the 80s, and Barnet play their home games in a stadium built initially for Wealdstone in 2003. The rivalry has cooled off in recent years, but with Wealdstone entering the National League last season, the rivalry was renewed with the clubs splitting the two games and their first meeting this year resulted in a 1-1 draw.

After a ho-hum first half, it appeared that Wealdstone was going to be off to the races in the second half. Striker Andrew Dallas took advantage of an error by Barnet's Matt Preston to score a high-quality finish from 23-yards out into the top corner.

Unfortunately, Barnet answered right back just a few minutes later, with Ben Seymour equalizing in the 48th minute with a nice effort from 13-yards out to the near post that left Jacob Russell frozen. In the 61st minute, attacking midfielder Rubin Colwill split the Wealdstone defense and sent Russell the wrong way with what proved to be the game winner.

Wealdstone tightened up the defense in the final 30 minutes and kept Barnet from registering a single shot, but the Stones were unable to get the equalizer.

Wealdstone: Russell - 6.5, Meekings - 6.7 (Stevens - 6.8), Agyakwa - 6.7, Barrett - 6.7, Efete - 6.4, Wishart - 6.4 (Cornish - NR), Pickert - 6.8, Stephens - 6.9, Gibson-Hammond - 6.5, Dallas - 7.3, Norton - 7.0 (Hutchinson - NR)

Subs not used: Askew, Spencer-Adams

Manager Drew Welch - I thought we were in good shape. We come out of the locker room at the half, and we immediately hit them for a goal. We were fired up. We played well defensively for all but 15 minutes in this game, and those 15 minutes cost us.

Having said that though, as a keeper, you can't get beat on the near post. It just can't happen. Jacob will be the first to tell you that he didn't play well. There are several today that can admit they didn't play well today. Midfield gave up possession way too much today. We didn't press today as a cohesive unit. It was just a very ragged performance today.

Seems like that happens when we are put on BT Sport. We've only won one of these.

BT Sport Highlights

[studbucket]

That was some very frustrating defending on that first goal. From the ill-advised clearances to the lack of awareness that led to it.

[jasontoddwhitt]

Quote: Originally Posted by studbucket

That was some very frustrating defending on that first goal. From the ill-advised clearances to the lack of awareness that led to it.

The joys of the lower leagues. Some of the things you witness just make your eye twitch.

Those moments seem to be happening more this season.