MATCH REPORT: Eastleigh 2-2 Wealdstone

Despite a Nathan Tshikuna brace, a stoppage-time Eastleigh equaliser meant the points were shared in a two-two draw on the road against the Spitfires.

Sam Cox made just one change to his side that secured a memorable FA Trophy victory over Robbie Savage’s Forest Green Rovers last weekend, as Deon Woodman made way for new loanee signing Charlie Waller- who made his first appearance for Wealdstone.

In a slow-starting encounter, Enzio Boldewijn catalysed the first major chance of the game, as he played in Micah Obiero, who navigated his way through the Spitfires defence and fired a shot that sailed over the crossbar.

Approaching the ten-minute mark, Eastleigh captain Lloyd Humphries caused havoc inside Baptiste’s box, setting up debutant Jake Tabor, whose effort rattled the post and rebounded to Harvey Saunders, who pounced to slot the home side into an early lead.

Eastleigh surged forward again, as Jake Vokins dispossessed the Stones and combined with Kieron Evans on the left. Evans’ cross found Vokins again, who unleashed a shot that flashed narrowly wide of Baptiste’s post.

Nearing the 30-minute mark, Anthony Georgiou delivered a teasing ball to Dom Hutchinson at the back post, but his shot lacked power to trouble Nick Townsend.

The Stones found attacking fluidity approaching the break, as Nathan Tshikuna passed swiftly to Olufela Olomola, whose attempt was parried by Nick Townsend, keeping Eastleigh ahead at the interval.

HALF TIME EASTLEIGH 1-0 WEALDSTONE

Following the break, Wealdstone started brighter, as substitute Sak Hassan cut inside onto his right and unleashed a strike which the Spitfire keeper fumbled and the ball came tantalisingly close to crossing the line.

Upon the 60-minute mark, Nathan Tshikuna rushed through the centre and sought to release Olufela Olomola, but Archie Harris’ interception ricocheted back to Tshikuna, whose right footed effort curled into the bottom right corner to bring the Stones level.

Propelled by the equaliser, the Stones attack kept Eastleigh on the back foot, testing Nick Townsend between the sticks with a series of corners, but the keeper’s commanding punches repelled each threat.

Cox’s men continued in ascendancy as Micah Obiero was hauled down on the edge of the box- earning the Stones a free-kick.

Tshikuna stepped up and produced a moment of brilliance, curling the ball outstandingly into the top right-hand corner to fire Wealdstone into the lead!

In the 82^nd minute, Tshikuna eyed his hat-trick as Wealdstone were gifted another free-kick, bending the ball goal-bound and forcing Townsend to make a darting save to deny the goalscorer a third.

Deep into added time, Eastleigh snatched an agonisingly late equaliser as Aaron Pierre drilled a bouncing strike into the bottom right-hand corner to cancel out the Stones’ lead.

Substitute Sean Adarkwa came excruciatingly close to a Wealdstone winner in the 99^th minute as he found the back of the net, only for the linesman’s offside flag to be raised to deny Wealdstone and force a share of the spoils.

Wealdstone return to action on Tuesday evening when they travel up North to the J. Davidson Stadium to face Altrincham in a 7:45pm kick-off.

Wealdstone: Baptiste, Georgiou (Hassan 56’), Mussa (Woodman (93’), Boldewijn, Kadji, Olomola (Dixon-Bonner 77’), Obiero (Adarkwa 94’), Hutchinson (Adu-Poku 56’), Tshikuna, McAvoy, Waller.

Subs not used: Johnson, Spencer.