Pre Season Washed Away - Wealdstone vs. Reading U23

Looking over to the clubhouse at Grosvenor Vale

For my third and final pre season match, I had a choice between two revisits - Wealdstone and Staines Town and I opted for the former as they confirmed first that they would be producing a programme. My first visit to Grosvenor Vale was to see Tooting and Mitcham was for their first win in the Ryman Premier League in the 2008-09 season. Today there were hosting Reading U23. I had been to the Madejski to see Scunthorpe claim a 1-1 draw although they would had completed a memorable victory had Jon Forte not blazed over the bar after his fantastic run. 

Kick off in heavy rain at Grosvenor Vale

Reading should really take an early lead. The Wealdstone keeper makes a decent save and he can only watch as the rebound falls to the Reading forward who somehow misses from close range. They come close again when the attacking player comes desperately close to making contact to a great cross with a diving header. It is however the hosts who make the break through with a low shot when the ball falls to the player on the edge of the area. Wealdstone nearly double their lead after Reading give the ball away but no one gets the vital touch with the squared pass.

Different bits of cover in the corner near the turnstiles

The goals then flow in the second half. the second coming from a generous looking penalty for the home side (given I was at the opposite end of the ground) which is coolly dispatched. The third comes after the home player breaks down the middle and he plays his team mate in who slots in. The Reading keeper gifts the forward the fourth as he palms the rebound straight to the man. Reading do score the best goal of the game with a cracking shot from someway out. Normal service is resumed as everyone in the Reading defense leaves a lofted ball forward and the forward strokes ball home. Wealdstone complete the scoring when they break out and the second effort is powered home to make it six one.

Sixth goal

The closest tube stop to Grosvenor Vale is Ruislip on the Metropolitan and Piccadilly lines which is about half hour from town. The ground is then ten minutes away. The opposite direction to the ground is the brilliant Hop and Wine which has a selection of ales as well as a stunning choice of cans and bottles. For the early kick off. For the early kick off, the friendly Crook of Gold does the job. The clubhouse at the ground had a wide selection of drinks as well as the sports channels. The burger van inside is the first time I've ever had fish finger sandwiches which says it all!

Another angle of the seated accommodation