MATCH REPORT | HARTLEPOOL UNITED VS WEALDSTONE

The Stones produced a good performance at the Prestige Group Stadium to secure a one-one draw against fellow top-half side Hartlepool United.

The curse of the ex struck in just the second minute of the game, as Alex Reid fired a powerful shot into the roof of the net from inside the six-yard box.

But Hartlepool Utd’s lead was short-lived.

Nathan Tshikuna was surrounded by opposition defenders just inside the box. However, he managed to produce a fantastic effort which sailed into the top corner and levelled the scoring in the fourth minute!

It was a fairly open start to the game, as Dom Hutchinson and Olomola combined nicely on the edge of the box before the former forced George Evans into a good save.

The Pools had a couple of good spells of possession in the middle stage of the first half, though a well-organised Stones defence easily dealt with any threat they posed.

Hutchinson whipped a dangerous cross into the box just before the half an hour mark, which had he potential to cause havoc. But the Hartlepool defender did well and got his head to the ball before the onrushing Micah Obiero could do so.

Matt Daly was able to get in behind the Stones’ defense in the 34th minute, but he was unable to pick out a teammate with his cross.

The game became increasingly cagey, and the final minutes of the first period saw very little action in either box.

Half time: Hartlepool United 1-1 Wealdstone

Wealdstone started the second half well, with Hutchinson once again looking threatening on the right flank.

Reid almost got his second of the game just before the 50-minute mark as a bouncing ball found its way to him. Dante Baptiste reacted quickly and made a solid save to deny the experienced striker.

Although the general balance of play was fairly equal, it was the home side who had all of the shots in the next 10 minutes, none of them troubling Baptiste.

Adam Campbell found himself in space on the outside of the box in the 69th minute and decided to have a shot. His goal-bound strike was well parried by Baptiste.

The Stones almost took the lead two minutes later via a well-worked counterattack. Daniel Nkrumah did tremendously well to get on the end of Tshikuna’s long ball and find Olomola in the box. The frontman worked half a yard, and his driven effort needed to be saved by Evans.

Sam Cox’s triple change in the 81st minute saw the Stones gain some momentum and start the final period of the game on the front foot.

But the home side slowly regained momentum.

Maxim Kouogun marauded into the Stones’ defensive third and struck a shot from range in the 88th minute. However, his effort failed to hit the target.

Seconds later, Pharrell Brown’s cross almost found Danny Johnson at the far post, but for an excellent defensive header from Junior Tiensia.

Wealdstone came under intense pressure during this stage as Reid forced Baptiste into yet another save, before Johnson thought he had secured a late winner for the Pools. The goal was ruled out by the linesman’s offside flag.

Ultimately, the Stones’ defence held firm to see out the game and extend their unbeaten run to five games in all competitions.

Full time: Hartlepool United 1-1 Wealdstone

Attendance: 3,394

Wealdstone Starting XI: Baptiste, Boldewijn (Nsasi 81’), Cook (C) (Diarra 81’), McAvoy, Hutchinson, Agyemang, Turner (Kadji, 56’), Georgiou (Tiensia 81’), Tshikuna, Obiero (Nkrumah 68’), Olomola

Subs not used: Graczyk, Christie-Davies