Stones target FA Trophy upset (From Harrow Times)

Wealdstone target FA Trophy upset at Dartford

2:00pm Friday 3rd February 2012 in Sport

Wealdstone will target an FA Trophy scalp this weekend when they travel to Conference South promotion chasers Dartford.

The Stones earned their place in the third round after upsetting Barrow last month.

Gordon Bartlett’s side will face a massive challenge at second-placed Dartford tomorrow. The hosts have won their last six matches in all competitions and the Stones will go there as big outsiders.

Wealdstone warmed up for the cup tie with a 2-0 home win over Tooting & Mitcham United in the league on Tuesday night.

Bartlett’s team could have opened the scoring inside the first minute at Grosvenor Vale but Richard Jolly was unable to control Scott McCubbin’s pinpoint through ball.

The hosts remained on top and went close minutes later when Scott Fitzgerald hit an ambitious 40-yard volley which sailed just past the post.

Visiting goalkeeper Jack Giddens was called into action after 15 minutes when he palmed away Sean Cronin’s header. Jolly almost tucked away the rebound but somehow the defence managed to keep the ball out of the net.

Wealdstone were in control and again went close to the breakthrough after Jolly was released but his effort rolled agonisingly wide of the target.

Tooting almost grabbed the lead against the run of play when James Hammond was forced to block a close-range strike from Charlie Stimson.

The Stones deservedly took the lead just before the half-hour mark. Jolly’s header was pushed onto the bar by Giddens and Britt Assombalonga tucked away the rebound.

Wealdstone had to wait until injury time to put the game beyond doubt. Striker Jolly showed real strength to hold off a defender before side-footing the ball past the goalkeeper for his 29th of the campaign.

It was a much-needed three points after the Stones’ long unbeaten run ended at Lowestoft Town on Saturday.

Bartlett’s side were beaten for the first time since November as their 15-match unbeaten run ground to a halt.

The match started promisingly for the visitors when Assombalonga fired them in front. But two goals from third-placed Lowestoft condemned the Stones to only their sixth league defeat of the campaign.