Teams:-
Wealdstone: Banks, McCubbin, Massey ( Pett 64 mins), Parker, Cronin, Dyer, Brooks, O'Leary (Webb 76 mins), Dean (Bridoo 76 mins), Jolly, Chappell. Subs; Webb, Brewer, Hammond, Knight, Pett, Bridoo, Jordan

Lowestoft: Reynolds, Gleeson, Crane, Gaughran, Ainsley, Henderson (Jones 87 mins), Mitchell, Fisk, Francis (Cunningham 71 mins), Frew (Smith 82 mins), Defty. Subs; Jessup, Smith, Eagle, Jones, Cunningham, Stone, Saker.

The only real threat from Wealdstone in the whole match was the penalty and even that was a dubious decision, of which some of the Wealdstone supporters after the game agreed.

Lowestoft started the game with an unchanged side and took little time in taking control.
The Wealdstone keeper (Banks) was forced to make an early save from Francis and then another stop from Henderson on the half hour mark.
Minutes later a snap shot from Frew was close to finding the top corner.
The ref was setting his stall out with a few bookings in the game, one of which was a ridiculous booking for a Wealdstone hand ball, in which the player had his hand down by his side; very harsh.
Banks was forced into action again, saving from a Francis free kick, as Lowestoft continued to dominate proceedings.
The Lowestoft midfield of Mitchell and Fisk were bossing matters, as Lowestoft's movement right across the pitch and down both wings was testing and stretching Wealdstone.
After 35 minutes Lowestoft deservedly got in front, with good work on the right by Frew, laying back to Gleeson to deliver a great ball into Henderson, who controlled superbly close in and slot under the keeper for 1-0.
It really was all Lowestoft and Wealdstone were happy to hear the halftime whistle.

The second half was much of the same and an early bullet header by Gaughran at the far post nearly made it two but it went right down the keepers throat.
The one sided game was however then turned on its head, as Ainsley was harshly adjudged after making what appeared to be a good tackle, as the ref pointed to the spot and
Cronin stepped up to slam home for 1-1 (52 mins). It was a questionable penalty of which even some of the Wealdstone supporters after the game agreed.
It was only a further five minutes though before Lowestoft restored their lead, with the impressive
Francis laying back for Ainsley to cross into Frew, who slotted home from a couple of yards out for 2-1 (57 mins).
Francis, as he'd done for most of the match so far, was causing them big problems down the left and Frew was working hard across the line.
Great play from Lowestoft resulted in Henderson setting up Frew but a good save by the keeper stopped it from being what looked like a certain third.
A tough tackle left Francis hobbling and being replaced by Cunningham and with Wealdstone finally having a small spell of possession, a header from a corner was cleared off the Lowestoft goal line.
With Cunningham getting wiped out in the corner, Lowestoft nearly put the game to bed but a Gaughran bullet header from the resulting free kick flashed wide.
Lowestoft introduced Jones for Henderson, who had played much better today from wide, as Lowestoft flooded the midfield for the closing stages.
Wealdstone's keeper at this point was right up the pitch playing outfield but it was all too late as the final whistle went and Lowestoft got the much deserved win.

Wealdstone were made to look poor today by a Lowestoft team who made it impossible for Wealdstone to play. The work rate, closing down, slick passing and great movement of Lowestoft very much made this a one sides affair.

Mitchell and Fisk dominated the midfield throughout and Frew worked really hard across the line and in the channels. Defty continues to impress me and looks like a super signing for Lowestoft this season.
There were man of the match performances all over the pitch and Mitchell, Fisk and Frew all had a shout but for me I thought Francis beat his opponent on countless occasions, putting in a performance which oozed confidence and was worth of my personal man of the match award.

Let's hope for a good home draw in the next round and a decent cup run.

Well played lads; superb today!!

Terry Bullen