MATCH REPORT | Aldershot Town 2-0 Wealdstone

A vastly improved performance from Wealdstone saw them only narrowly defeated by a resolute Aldershot Town at The EBB Stadium this afternoon.

A first half strike by Harrison Panayiotou, along with a stoppage time goal from Joel Nouble sealed victory for the Shots.

Manager Stuart Maynard made four changes to the side that were thrashed by Maidenhead United on Tuesday, with Connor Smith, Michael Phillips, Danny Green and Dan Wishart all named in the starting line-up.

Wealdstone’s first chance of the match came in the 16th minute when Dennon Lewis struck an effort from the edge of the area, but goalkeeper Mitch Walker was well-placed to gather for the Shots.

The home side generated their own opportunity in the 31st minute; Josh Rees powered a ball across the box, which ricochets off of Ashley Charles, and flew just wide of the target.

Three minutes later, Aldershot Town broke the deadlock in style. Panayiotou profited from a long ball that was deflected off of Joseph Olowu’s head, and the striker swerved a superb effort into the top corner.

The Shots almost instantly doubled their lead when Jermaine Anderson unleashed a fierce strike from 30 yards which fizzed just wide of Jake Askew’s post.

A minute shy of half-time, Wealdstone looked like they had drawn level when Lewis fired home after a fantastic through ball by Wishart, but the referee ruled the goal out for offside.

Five minutes into the second half, the Shots nearly extended their lead further when Ricky Miller raced through on goal after shrugging off Olowu, however Askew produced an excellent save, palming the effort wide to deny the striker.

In the 56th minute, Askew, who had an outstanding game, pulled off another high-quality save, to tipping George Fowler’s header wide to thwart the home side again.

A minute later, the visitors broke via a counter attack as Jacob Mendy embarked on a mazy run, but his final effort was easily collected by Walker.

With end-to-end action, the Shots nearly notched another goal as Toby Edser’s whipped cross was headed marginally over the crossbar by Rees.

The Stones continued to search for an equaliser and nearly capitalised in the 59th minute when Connor Smith dispossessed Anderson on the edge of the area and flashed a fine left-footed driven shot agonisingly wide of the post.

In the 72nd minute, newly introduced Kaylen Hinds almost had an instant impact for Aldershot Town as his header at the far post beat Askew, but Charles was on hand to make a vital goal-line clearance to keep Wealdstone in the match.

On the stroke of full-time, the Shots had the chance to bury the game when Chike Kandi was played in behind by Hinds, but he could only blaze his effort over the crossbar.

One minute into stoppage time, the home side pumped the ball into the box to Kodi Lyons-Foster whose headed effort looked goal bound, but Askew produced yet another stunning save to tip the ball over the crossbar.

Three minutes into added time, the Stones looked to have salvaged a point when Smith flicked the ball to Danny Green who powerfully struck from a tight angle, however Walker parried and Lyons-Foster cleared for the home side.

A few moments before the final whistle, Aldershot Town scored a deserved second goal as Nouble skipped past two defenders and squared to Kandi for a simple tap in.

Wealdstone return to action next Saturday 1st May when they host Yeovil Town at The Vale, in a 3pm kickoff.

WEALDSTONE: Askew, Phillips, Olowu, Okimo (c), Wishart (Gondoh 80), Charles, Smith, Dyer (Lo-Everton 80), Mendy, Green, Lewis (Parish 78).

Subs not used: Shrowder, Hearn.

ALDERSHOT TOWN: Walker, Fowler, Sendles-White, Lyons-Foster, Kinsella, Edser (Tanner 79), Rees, Anderson, Nouble, Panayiotou (Hinds 71), Miller (Kandi 64).

Subs not used: Rowe, Ogie.

Report by Nicole Cho-Yee