Harrow Sport
Wealdstone extend FA Trophy run with superb Dartford draw
1:00pm Thursday 16th February 2012
Wealdstone’s superb run in the FA Trophy continued after a 2-2 draw at Conference South title challengers Dartford on Tuesday night.
The Stones twice had to come from behind to deny the strong favourites and force a replay at Grosvenor Vale this Tuesday.
A mix-up in defence allowed Danny Harris to give Dartford the lead before Richard Jolly headed in his 30th of the season just before the break.
The hosts made it 2-1 after a fortunate deflected effort from Lee Noble. But the Stones would not be denied and the outstanding Chris O’Leary headed in a deserved equaliser.
Wealdstone boss Gordon Bartlett said: “Everybody I had spoken to about Dartford in the last few weeks started by saying they’re the best side they’ve played this season.
“They came into the match having won seven on the bounce, are second in the Conference South and scoring goals for fun.
“It was always going to be tough and losing Britt Assombalonga and Sean Cronin from the original lineup as well as Wes Parker, who broke down during the game with injury, just made it even harder.
“I have to give an awful lot of credit to the character of the side for fighting back on two occasions.”
Bartlett singled out midfielder O’Leary for praise after his performance for the Stones during the draw.
He added: “I thought Chris was a colossus out there and he deserved his goal. He won his tackles and was influential in the middle of the park.”
Bartlett was disappointed with the two goals his side conceded but glowing in his admiration for his side’s response to adversity.
He commented: “The first goal was really disappointing because Wes and Jonathan North looked in control of the situation but it ended up in the back of the net.
“But it was a great time to equalise before the break which gave us a real lift.
“To lose a goal at the start of the second half was a real blow, especially as it was a poor strike which trickled in after two deflections.
“But the response was excellent and we were the better team for the last 30 minutes.”
Despite being the lowest ranked side left in the competition, Bartlett has urged his side not to be satisfied with their achievement as a trip to Wembley is only three wins away.
“There are only ten teams left in the competition and we are by far the lowest ranked side so we are massive underdogs.
“But we are only a few wins from Wembley. We’ve done so well but with a couple more results we could get there.”