MATCH REPORT | Kings Lynn 0-1 Wealdstone

Ten-man Wealdstone held firm to snatch victory over King’s Lynn at The Walks Stadium yesterday afternoon, and notch their first away win of the season.

A first half strike from Charlie Cooper sealed all three points for the Stones and pushed them up to thirteenth in the National League table.

Manager Stuart Maynard made three changes to the side that drew last week with Aldershot Town, as Dan Wishart and Nick Tavares were recalled to the starting line-up, while new youth loanee Charlie Barker from Charlton Athletic made his debut.

The Linnets dictated much of the first half as they dominated possession and generated some clear-cut goal scoring opportunities.

Brett McGavin produced the first effort for King’s Lynn, drilling a low powerful strike from range just wide of George Wickens’ post.

Four minutes later, Joe Rowley chipped a well-weighted ball over the top of Wealdstone’s defence for Zain Walker, but the attacker could only fire his strike wide.

The home side’s best chance of the half came on the 19th minute mark when McGavin released Michael Clunan for a one-on-one with George Wickens, but Wealdstone’s number one pulled off a fantastic save to deny the Linnets’ captain.

Wickens, who was in excellent form all afternoon, produced another top-quality fingertip save in the 26th minute to thwart Junior Morias from close range.

Against the run of play, the Stones took the lead in the 32nd minute when the industrious Cooper seized the ball and unleashed a fierce driven effort from 20 yards past Paul Jones into the bottom corner of the net to register his first goal for the club.

King’s Lynn continued to dominate the remainder of the half as they looked for an equaliser before the interval; however Wealdstone demonstrated some resolute defending to keep the Linnets at bay.

Three minutes into the second half, the Stones were reduced to ten men as Ira Jackson was sent off when referee Alan Dale produced a straight red card for a high challenge on Walker.

The home side looked to profit from their numerical advantage and came close in the 56th minute when the ball fell to Morias on the edge of the box, but the striker curled his effort narrowly over the crossbar.

Six minutes later, Morias was presented with another opportunity to level the match, but the King’s Lynn forward produced a glaring miss from close range.

Rhys Browne was introduced for the Stones in the 63rd minute and nearly had an instant impact, firing a powerful effort from range, which flew just shy of the near post.

The Linnets pressed further for an equaliser and came close in the 73rd minute when Tyler Denton cut inside and rifled a shot on target, but Wickens reacted with a solid save.

The home side remained camped inside the Stones’ half for the finals stages of the matched as they probed for a goal to draw level; however tenacious defending from Wealdstone thwarted their attacks.

One the stroke off full-time, King’s Lynn looked like they were going to grab a last-gasp equaliser when the ball was headed down to Munashe Sundire, but the substitute could only spurn his effort wide.

Despite four minutes additional time being added, the Stones clung on to secure a vital victory on the road.

Wealdstone return to action next Saturday 2nd October when they travel to face Torquay United, in a 3pm kick off.

WEALDSTONE: Wickens, Cook (C), Wishart, Charles, Umerah (Browne 63), Eleftheriou, Jackson, Tavares, Elito (Lewis 63), Barker (Buse), Cooper.

SUBS NOT USED: Fasanmade, Marigliani.

ATTENDANCE: 885 (approx 180 away fans)