Barnet 0-0 Wealdstone - Match Report

Wealdstone shared the spoils with Barnet in a tightly contested goalless draw at The Hive this afternoon.

Manager Dean Brennan made two changes to the side that were narrowly edged by Torquay United on Tuesday evening, with Alex Dyer and Charlie Wakefield returning to the starting line-up for the Stones.

From the outset of the match, there was a high intensity from both sides as they looked to assert their authority on the game.

Wealdstone were agonisingly close to scoring in the fourth minute of play as Dean Parrett rifled a fierce strike on target, but the Bee’s ‘keeper Scott Loach pulled off a fantastic reaction save to deny the visitors taking the lead.

The Stones continued to press for an opener and nearly scored in the 31st minute as Jerome Okimo rose highest to connect with a teasing delivery from Danny Green, though the captain’s header flew just wide of the target.

In the 37th minute, the Stones galvanised another chance as Parrett found Wakefield at the far post, but his effort was well-blocked by Jack Connors. The visitors nearly profited from the resultant corner, but a well-positioned Michee Efete was unable to poke the ball home at the far post.

On the stroke of halftime, Dennon Lewis was set free on goal with the chance to send Wealdstone into the lead at the interval; however the forward’s driven effort was dragged wide.

The first chance of the second half fell to the Bees in the 59th minute as Alexander McQueen swung in a fine cross from the right wing, but Inih Effiong’s header flew high over the crossbar.

Barnet continued to apply pressure, and two minutes later they were close to taking an advantage as Ephron Mason-Clark blazed his shot just wide of the goal from the edge of the box.

Brennan made his first substitution in the 62nd minute as Jorome Slew replaced Green. The attacker had an instant impact, striking from range, but Loach was on-hand to tip the ball around the post.

The match continued with end-to-end action from both teams. The Stones demonstrated passages of cohesive attacking play, yet they were unable to generate a clear-cut opportunity to break the deadlock.

In the 86th minute, the Bee’s nearly stole a late victory, but Moore produced an excellent point-blank save to deny Effiong at the far post.

The match finished all square as the Stones secured an important away point, along with their third clean sheet of the season.

This result moves Wealdstone up to seventh position in the National League. They return to action next Saturday 12th December, when they host Weymouth at The Vale, in a 3pm kickoff.

WEALDSTONE: Moore, Efete, Okimo (C), Phillips, Smith, Green (Slew, 62), Lewis, Dyer, Wakefield (Hughes, 87), Parrett (Benyu, 75), Cawley.

Subs not used: Askew, Charles.

BARNET: Loach, Connors, Dunne, McQueen, Faal (Vasiliou, 73), Taylor, Effiong, Fonguck, Mason-Clark, Nugent, Wordsworth.

Subs not used: Azaze, Pascal, Moshini, Binnom-Williams.

Report by Nicole Cho-Yee