 Wallingford threw away a chance to gain only their second win of the season, again letting an early lead slip against fellow relegation favourites Harrow Hill.
The bottom-of-the-table clash came to life as early as the fifth minute when James Barton missed a penalty for the home side, after Pete Lamont tripped had tripped Eddy Weyman in the box, but despite that it was Wallingford that made the much brighter start. Hayday went agonisingly close on ten minutes when Aaron Davies put him through on the left, but Dane Adams made a terrific save, tipping his shot just over the crossbar. However, the visitors deservedly took the lead after 20 minutes, Michael Fellows long pass found Jefferson Harriott making a well timed run through the middle, and he squared the ball for the unmarked Pete Lamont to finish nicely low down to the keepers right.
After Tommy Hayday limped off injured for Wallingford , they lost their shape a little in midfield, and the home side carved out a couple of good chances, with Bucklan and Weyman failing to hit the target in the box. Harriott then had a great chance to double the lead. Weaver helped the ball on and Harriott was clean through on goal, but Adams saved well with his legs. Just before half time, Wallingford made the classic mistake of letting their concentration slip. Ian Fenn miscued the ball into the middle and Harrow Hill took full advantage, the ball eventually falling to Scott McCrean to break clear on the right and coolly slotted home the equaliser. The second half was only 10 minutes old when the game turned sharply in the favour of the home side. Wallingford were looking to counter attack when Fletcher caught Pete Lamont with a nasty late challenge. Lamont squared up to Fletcher and allegedly headbutted him, and was shown a straight red card, with Fletcher booked for the tackle. It was not long before Harrow Hill began to take control with their one man advantage, and after a spell of pressure Shaun Bucklan made it 2-1 with a sweet volley from the edge of the area. Five minutes later Smith was allowed too much time in the area to cut inside and curl in a shot which the keeper could only parry as far as Will Freeman, who had an easy finish from five yards out to make it 3-1. Wallingford rallied late on, Harriott missed the target at the far post after the keeper punched poorly from a corner. Weston then put Weaver clean through on the counter attack, but he blasted into the side netting with just the keeper to bear. Once again Wallingford were left to rue missed chances and poor decisions after failing to hold onto their lead for the third successive game. Harrow Hill leapfrog Wallingford , who are now bottom of the Hellenic League Premier Division.
AFC Wallingford: Sapey, Davies (De Sousa 75), Fellows, Debanks, Fenn, Chalmers, Lamont, Hayday (Weston 20), Pitson, Harriott (Janichina 88), Weaver |
