Stones held by Hendon (From Harrow Times)

Wealdstone held by Hendon

1:40pm Thursday 26th January 2012 in Local Sport By Simon Mail

Wealdstone drew their third league game in a row after being held 1-1 at Hendon on Tuesday night.

The Stones had to come from behind against their highflying rivals to claim a point. The result also extended the Stones’ run of form to just one defeat in 25 games.

Wealdstone started the match brightly and could have taken the lead inside three minutes but Richard Jolly was hauled down by Ryan Wharton on the edge of the area.

Wharton looked like he was the last man but was fortunate to get away with a yellow card.

Former Watford forward Elliot Godfrey had the hosts’ first chance of the game but his volley from the edge of the area went wide.

Greg Ngoyi, playing against his old club, looked dangerous and the striker made the breakthrough just before the break.

Ngoyi received the ball from Darren Currie and he prodded it past goalkeeper Jonathan North from close range.

Gordon Bartlett’s side started the second half with purpose and they were rewarded with an equaliser six minutes after the restart.

David Hicks seized on the ball in midfield and he struck a 20-yard effort which flew past Berkley Laurencin.

The Stones were on top after the goal and only a brilliant save by Laurencin from Kurtney Brooks’ strike denied them the lead.

Hendon finished the match strongly and almost pinched the points in injury time but North superbly saved from Carl McCluskey’s shot.

The Stones were also held 1-1 at home to in-form Cray Wanderers at the weekend.

Bartlett said: “We looked flat but we showed character as the game went on and didn’t buckle.

“We were exposed in the midfield by a very good Cray side whose movement and shape was excellent.

“We were grateful for the point but we could have nicked it at the end and the substitutions worked well.”

Cray deservedly took the lead after 58 minutes when Jack Clark’s powerful strike was parried by North and Tommy Whitnall bundled in the loose ball.

But the hosts equalised almost immediately as Hick’s corner was headed home by defender Wes Parker.

Chris O’Leary had a great chance to win the game when he was put through on goal but he blasted his effort just wide of the target. Both teams had chances to claim the victory but it finished up all square.

Bartlett’s side face another difficult test this weekend when they travel to third-placed Lowestoft Town.