Late turnaround sees wasteful City crash to Stones defeat

City only had themselves to blame as they surrended a one goal half-time lead to lose 2-1 to Wealdstone at Grosvenor Vale this afternoon. The home side’s goals both came in the final 20 minutes, either side of Antoine Semenyo’s red card, after City had wasted numerous chances to put the game out of sight. An early header from Miles Welch-Hayes was well saved by North before the keeper also blocked an Opi Edwards effort, as City controlled the opening stages of the game. However, they had a great escape on 36 minutes when Monakana got behind their defence. Luke Southwood managed to block his initial effort but when the ball broke back to him he looked to have a simple tap-in only for Dan Ball to brilliantly get in the way of his shot. And five minutes later City went ahead when Okimo blocked Welch-Hayes’ cross with his arm and Matt Richards confidently fired home the resultant penalty. The opening 15 minutes of the second half saw City throw everything at the Stones, Tom Smith, twice, and Semenyo forcing saves from North, then Andy Watkins beating the overworked keeper only for the ball to hit the post and rebound into his arms. They were punished for these misses with 20 minutes left when the ball dropped to Sheppard in the box to fire past Southwood. Ten minutes later City were reduced to ten men when an innocuous foul by Semenyo earned the teenage striker his second yellow card. Wealdstone made their man advantage pay four minutes later, seconds after Welch-Hayes had produced another great goalline block, when Olomowewe headed home from a corner.