MATCH REPORT | Chelmsford City 2-1 Wealdstone

Wealdstone are knocked out of the FA Trophy following a 2-1 defeat to Chelmsford City at the Melbourne Stadium.

Chelmsford took the lead early through Callum Jones but an equaliser from the inform Nathan Ferguson saw the score level on 21 minutes.

A dominant first-half was turned on its head in the 37th minute when Olufela Olomola stuck the ball into his own net from a dangerous ball into the box.

A nightmare start from Wealdstone saw the hosts take the lead when Jones finished well inside the box, after being played through on goal just 53 seconds in.

Stuart Maynard’s side refused to let the early goal affect them and began to dominate the match as they searched for an equaliser.

Two huge chances fell to Olomola inside the first ten minutes, first smashing the ball over from a dangerous position and then heading over from just six yards out.

The Breakthrough finally came for the Stones on the 21stminute when Ferguson tapped in to score his third goal in three games.

Tarryn Allarakhia, who caused havoc down the left-hand side all game, beat his man and squared the ball into the path of Ferguson, who placed his effort past Ovie Ejeherito level the score.

Despite their dominance, the Stones fell behind once again in the 38th minute, when a free-kick from a wide position was headed into his own net by Olomola.

Maynard would have been disappointed to trail at the break given the number of chances his side created in the first period.

Just after the break, the two sides traded big chances. Goal-scorer Ferguson fired over from the edge of the box just before a fizzed ball into the skimmed off the head of Harry Lodovica.

Just five minutes later, Callum Jones was once again played through on goal but a huge save from the reliable Sam Howes stopped the hosts from doubling their advantage.

Like the first-half, the Stones controlled the play in the second period, sticking to Maynard’s principles and playing brilliant football to open up the Chelmsford defence.

Olomola once again went close to getting himself a goal and levelling the score after his fierce strike flew just over the crossbar.

Just five minutes later, Ferguson went close to scoring his second goal of the game when his effort fizzed just wide of the Chelmsford goal.

The Stones continued to create chances but couldn’t find the cutting edge to take the game to penalties.

Olomola, who could’ve had a number of goals, fired just wide of the Chelmsford goal after Stones keeper Howes knocked the ball down in the final minutes of the game.

Maynard’s side begin a succession of three home, league games when they face Eastleigh on Saturday at 3PM.

WEALDSTONE: Howes, Barker (Barrett 90), Cook (c), Freckleton, Mundle-Smith (Habergham 60), Charles, Ferguson, McGregor (Dyer 60), Allarakhia, Obiero, Olomola.

Subs not used: Negraru, Wilson-Braithwaite, Monroe, Babalola.

Attendance: 535

Report by Will Beaman