The fourth qualifying round ties of the Emirates FA Cup were contested last weekend and your Roving Team went along to watch Wealdstone take on Gosport Borough at their splendid Grosvenor Vale ground. Wealdstone and Barnet, who as National League clubs, had entered the competition at this stage, were the only Middlesex representatives in this round. Unfortunately, all of our other entrants had been eliminated in previous rounds.

Gosport Borough, who currently play at Step 3 of the Non-League Pyramid in the Southern League Premier South Division, overcame Andover New Street   4-0 at home in the 1st qualifying round of the competition. They then won a 2nd qualifying round replay at Gloucester City, after a 2-2 home draw. Then they beat Oxford City 3-2 away in the 3rd qualifying round, to reach this stage. This is Borough’s 4th appearance in the FA Cup 4th qualifying round.

Wealdstone were looking to overcome their recent disappointing run of FA Cup results, by recording their first victory in the competition since October 2019, when they beat Bristol Manor Farm in a 3rd qualifying round replay.

The Stones won an entertaining match in front of a vociferous crowd of 1005. They wasted an early opportunity to go ahead from the penalty spot and Borough then took the lead. However, Wealdstone equalised just before the interval. They went ahead 11 minutes after the break and after some anxious moments, consolidated their victory with two late goals, to make the final score 4-1. Borough battled well, despite being reduced to 10 players in the 70th minute.   

The game got off to a dramatic start. In the 2nd minute, Wealdstone’s Henry Sandat collected the ball on the left and cut into the visitors’ penalty area, where he was brought down by Borough goalkeeper, Ryan Gosney.

However, the visiting custodian then pulled off a very good save, diving to his right to parry Samuel Ashford’s spot kick.

The Stones continued on the offensive and Dominic Hutchinson fired over the crossbar. Then Enzio Boldewijn’s cross, from wide on the right, was comfortably taken by Ryan Gosney.

Borough’s first meaningful attack came in the 14th minute. Sam Howes palmed out Alfie Stanley’s shot from the edge of the penalty box to Bradley Tarbuck, whose shot was saved.

The visitors went ahead in the 21st minute, when Daniel Wooden appeared from the right and netted from an acute angle.

Dominic Hutchinson burst into the visitors’ box and went down under a challenge but the penalty appeals were turned down. 

Ryan Gosney went down to save Stones’ Micah Obiero’s low shot from outside the box.

Borough’s Harry Kavanagh released Asher Yearwood, whose close-range shot was deflected past the post. 

The visitors suffered a blow in the 33rd minute, when their influential striker. Daniel Wooden had to be substituted through injury.

Ryan Gosney comfortably saved shots from Alex Reid and Mason Barrett. Then a long freekick by Jack Cook was headed across the box to Micah Obiero, who fired wide.

Wealdstone equalised in added time before the interval. Brandon Mason hit the post with a low shot but debutant Alex Reid was on hand to net the rebound. This was Alex’s first appearance following his loan signing from Oldham Athletic.

Henry Sandat’s shot on the turn was saved by Ryan Gosney.

Half time score: Wealdstone 1 Gosport Borough 1

Henry Sandat set up Alex Reid, who was foiled by a timely tackle at the expense of a corner. Henry then met a corner with an overhead kick which hit the Borough post.

In the 56th minute, Henry Sandat released Anthony Georgiou, whose low cross was deflected into the net by Max Kretzschnar, to give Wealdstone the lead.

Bradley Tarbuck’s freekick, following a foul by Mason Barrett on Samuel Faniyan was taken high up by Sam Howes.

In the 70th minute, Alex Reid fastened onto a through ball and was brought down just outside the penalty area by Joseph Morrison, who was shown the red card. The resulting freekick by Max Kretzschnar hit the defensive wall.

Alex Reid burst through the defence but his shot, delivered under pressure, was just off target.

Anthony Georgiou embarked on a threatening run and was tripped. Max Kretzschnar’s freekick from 25 yards was charged down.

Alex Reid put the Stones further ahead in the 87th minute, when he intercepted Harry Lee’s back pass and took the ball around the goalkeeper to place it into the net.

Wealdstone’s 4th goal came in the 5th minute of added time. Micah Obiero was tripped in the box and Alex Reid completed his hattrick by hitting the resulting penalty into the roof of the net.

Referee George Laflin had a very good game, well supported by his assistant referees.

Final score: Wealdstone 4 Gosport Borough 1

TEAM LINE-UPS

Wealdstone: Sam Howes, Jack Cook (capt), Mason Barrett, Enzio Boldewijn, Micah Obiero, Samuel Ashford (Craig Eastmond 74 mins), Alex Reid, Henry Sandat (Christian Scott 90) , Jack Wells-Morrison (Kallum Cesay 90), Dominic Hutchinson (Max Kretzschnar 46) and Brandon Mason (Anthony Georgiou 46).

Unused substitutes: Jacob Adams and Elliot Thorpe.

Manager: Matt Taylor   

Assistant Manager: Paul Hughes

Gosport Borough: Ryan Gosney, Harry Kavanagh (Harry Lee 77), Rory Williams (capt), Finley Walsh-Smith (Paul Agbeseyi 88), Joseph Morrison, Bradley Tarbuck, Asher Yearwood, Daniel Wooden (Samuel Faniyan 33), Alfie Stanley (Alex Barsa 46), Daniel Hollands and Cameron Murray (Charlie Wassmer 73).

Unused substitutes: Harry Greenfield and Jake Cope.

Head Coach: Pat Suraci 

Referee: George Laflin   

Assistant Referees: Marcus Carmichael and Ryan Head.   

4th Official: Tom Ellsmore.

Attendance: 1005

Barnet also won their match, beating Chelmsford City 4-0 at the Hive. They led 2-0 at the interval through a brace of goals by Callum Lee Stead. Ryan Glover and Zak Brunt added goals in the 2nd half.

The draw for the 1st Round Proper wasn’t kind to either of our clubs. Barnet are away at Exeter City and Wealdstone are at Grimsby Town.

Report: Jim Taylor

Photography: Chris Benn

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