Match Report | Aldershot Town 4-1 Wealdstone

Wealdstone were defeated by four goals to one in a very open game against Aldershot Town in which the final score did not necessarily reflect the overall balance of play.

The Stones endured a nightmare start, as Aldershot opened the scoring inside the first minute. Matthew Penney was played in behind down the left-hand side, and he squared for the experienced James Henry to slot home.

After falling behind early on, Wealdstone responded well, moving the ball quickly and looking to pass incisively. Omar Mussa took a long-range strike, which caused problems after Coniah Boyce-Clarke made an unconvincing parry into a dangerous area.

Just a couple of minutes later, Sam Cox’s men were undone by a piece of magic from Josh Barrett. The attacker was given time and space on the edge of the box before unleashing an effort which dipped sharply and ended up in the back of the net.

The hosts nearly scored their third goal of the contest in the 12th minute. A misplaced defensive header inadvertently played Barrett through on goal, but he rushed his strike and scuffed an effort straight into the grateful grasp of Dante Baptiste.

Just before the 20-minute mark, the Stones got a much-deserved goal via Connor McAvoy. The defender met Sak Hassan’s deft free kick from the right-hand side of the penalty area, producing an excellent looping header which spun away from Boyce Clarke and into the net!

The game continued in its basketball-style fashion, and Wealdstone thought they had scored a leveller. Junior Tiensia was played in behind and squared the ball for Micah Obiero to tap in, but the former was deemed to be offside by the assistant referee.

Following a short break in play, Terrell Agyemang was the next Stones player to find himself in a dangerous position. The midfielder drove into the box and looked to find a teammate, but the Shots’ defence managed to clear the ball for a corner. Shortly after the corner kick, Tiensia stood the ball up for Enzio Boldewijn at the far post, the Dutchman’s header looping onto the top of the net.

Aldershot delivered a brutal blow on the verge of halftime. Theo Widdrington played Barrett in behind down the right flank, and the attacker maintained his composure to square for Charlie Warren, who duly scored the hosts’ third of the game.

Half time: Aldershot Town 3-1 Wealdstone

The second period started in a slightly more circumspect fashion, with the hosts having the better of general play but not creating any major chances.

Warren had the first clear-cut chance of the half for the Shots as his cross-come-shot was pushed into the path of Penney by Baptiste, though the defender could not make contact with the ball. Just seconds later, Aldershot had the ball in the net, but it was ruled out for a clear offside.

Nathan Tshikuna single-handedly mounted the Stones’ first major attack of the second half. He showed great strength to outmuscle his man and beat him to a 50/50 ball before driving at goal and unleashing a low, powerful effort from outside the box, which Boyce-Clarke had to save.

Shortly afterwards, Tiensia was adjudged to have blocked an Aldershot cross with his arm, and the home side were awarded a penalty kick. Ryan Hill stepped up and sent Baptiste the wrong way to put an end to any aspirations the Stones had of leaving Hampshire with any points in the 70th minute.

Following this fourth goal, the game quietened down considerably. The Shots looked to keep as much control as possible, whilst the Wealdstone players tried to get their foot on the ball and build some momentum going into the latter stages.

The home side almost got their fifth goal of the game one minute from the end of normal time, as Penney won a header following a free kick. Baptiste made an acrobatic save to just about tip the ball over the bar.

Full time: Aldershot Town 4-1 Wealdstone

Attendance: 2,130 (285 away)

Wealdstone team: Baptiste, Cook, Woodman, McAvoy, Boldewijn, Mussa (Turner 71’), Agyemang, Tiensia, Hassan (Olomola 71’), Tshikuna, Obiero.

Subs not used: Johnson, Diarra, Georgiou, Kadji, Nkrumah.

The Stones face a long away day to Carlisle Utd on Saturday before we return to The Vale to face Dagenham & Redbridge on the 10th of Januray in the Isuzu FA Trophy.