Wealdstone were up for the cup this week as they dispatched Hereford United and Hampton and Richmond Borough within three days of one another to progress in two competitions.
The Stones set up an FA Trophy third-round tie at home to Warrington Town by ending Hereford’s 52-match unbeaten away streak at the weekend, needing only Ricky Wellard’s 26th-minute header to progress 1-0.
In midweek the same scoreline settled their Middlesex Senior Cup quarter-final with Hampton, where Eddie Oshodi’s fine goal allowed the hosts to exact some revenge for defeat in last year’s final.
They will face Staines Town at Grosvenor Vale in the final four, but will be more excited about having a strong chance to move within two games of a Wembley final in the Trophy.
Their narrow win over the Bulls was helped by a red card for Dara O’Shea with only 14 minutes gone, earned for a clip on Matty Whichelow who would otherwise have been one-on-one with the visiting goalkeeper.
The Stones have struggled to break down 10-man sides this season but they took full advantage this time, and within 12 minutes Wellard had nodded in Danny Green’s cross to give them the lead.
Whichelow, Abobaker Eisa, Dan Fitchett and Mustafi Tiryaki missed chances to extend their advantage, but Jonathan North was left untroubled in the home goal as Wealdstone’s progression was assured.
On Tuesday night, the Stones beat National League South rivals Hampton and Richmond Borough at Grosvenor Vale, as Oshodi looked more like Marc Overmars as he controlled Danny Green’s free-kick on the turn before firing in off the post for the only goal of the game.
Sam Cox and Ashleigh Artwell, making his debut, forced saves out of Luke Sheldrick before the break but Josh Casey almost levelled up with the visitors’ best chance.
But the Stones again showed their maturity to hold on, and are back in league action at Bognor Regis Town on Saturday.
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