Windsor & Eton 1

Wealdstone 2

Man-of-the-match Steve Bircham scored a second-half goal to give promotion-chasing Wealdstone three more vital points.

In the 59th minute Bircham, prominent throughout, ran on to Dennis Greene's through ball with only goalkeeper Bunting to beat and his fine chip appeared to be sailing wide, but the ball wavered in the wind and found the net via the far post for a well-deserved winner.

Windsor had taken a 14th minute lead when Hill, taking full advantage of poor marking by the Stones defence, hit a 30-yard free-kick past goalkeeper Darren Bonfield.

The visitors were not at their best, and could not play their usual fluent passing game on a heavy pitch that was given the all-clear after an 11am inspection.

Stones had a great chance to equalise after 29 minutes, when Bunting fumbled, then brought down Bircham with a heavy tackle in the box for a penalty.

Up stepped ex-Windsor player Keith Boreham, whose spot kick hit a post and rebounded into the arms of the grateful Bunting.

Three minutes before the break came the equaliser when Dominic Sterling's effort was cleared off the line by Dale, only for the loose ball to fall to Boreham, who made no mistake this time, thumping home.

In the first few minutes of the second half, Windsor had two opportunities to regain the lead, but Norman and Hill missed easy chances.

When Wealdstone hit back in the 56th minute, Boreham's shot was deflected by Dennis Greene, and Bunting had to make a fine save at the expense of a corner.

After Bircham beat Bunting to put Wealdstone ahead, the nearest they came to increasing the lead was in the 66th minute, when Paul Lamb's effort was blocked.

Then came a let-off for the visitors when Hill missed another easy chance to put Windsor level.

The Stones made a double substitution in the 73rd minute, when Paul McKay and Mario Celaire replaced Kenny Gayle and the injured Greene.

In the last five mintues, Windsor pressed hard for the equaliser, with Bayliss shooting wide and a splendid tackle by Sterling preventing Jones getting in a dangerous cross.

But Stones held on for a splendid victory, completing the double over the Berkshire side, and increasing their chances of escaping the Ryman League Second Division.

WEALDSTONE: Bonfield, Lamb, Sterling, Moore, Waugh, Marshall, Gayle (McKay), Benning, Boreham, Greene (Celaire), Bircham. Sub: Horner.

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