MATCH REPORT | FC Halifax Town 5-0 Wealdstone

Wealdstone fell to an uncharacteristic 5-0 defeat to FC Halifax Town at The Shay on Tuesday evening.

Injuries and loan recalls meant Stuart Maynard had to make four changes to the side with a youthful makeshift back four, that saw Ashley Charles out of position at right-back.

Stones were without Miguel Freckleton who was recalled by Sheffield United and the injured duo of Jack Cook and Sam Habergham. Alex Dyer took the captains armband in Cook's absence.

Despite the host of changes it was the visitors who started strongest with Max Kretzschmar volleying Brooklyn Ilunga's cross just wide in the fifth minute.

Tarryn Allarakhia then pulled a good stop from Sam Johnson in the Shaymen goal, but pulled his hamstring in the process, compounding Maynard's injury misery.

From then on it was downhill for the Stones and Halifax opened the scoring on the stroke of half time when Jamie Stott looped a header over Sam Howes.

And the hosts had two more in the space of two kamikaze second half minutes, with Stott doubling his tally in a crowded area on 49 minutes and then Jamie Cooke adding a third soon after.

The hosts were awarded a penalty on the hour mark. Milli Alli stepped up to take it but struck the post from 12 yards out.

Mason Barrett returned to the eleven and he had Wealdstone's best chance of the second half when his header was saved by Johnson on 84 minutes.

Alli hit the woodwork again on 90 minutes, making the most of a rare slip from Charlie Barker, only to see Howes make a great save onto the crossbar when one-on-one.

However, the winger did get his goal moments later, nodding in unmarked from close range. And Tylor Golden had time to add a fifth with the last kick of the game.

The Stones are next in action this Saturday when an in-form Altrincham visit The Vale for a 3PM Kick Off.

WEALDSTONE: Howes, Charles, Barrett, Barker, Ilunga, Dyer (McGregor 61), Ferguson, Kretzschmar (Lo-Everton 77), Allarakhia (Whittaker 15), Obiero, Andrews.

Subs not used: Olomola, Hutchinson.

Attendance: 1,284

Report by Chris Woods