MATCH REPORT | Notts County 3-0 Stones

Wealdstone were convincingly defeated by a strong Notts County side at Meadow Lane this evening.

First half goals from Enzio Boldewijn and Elisha Sam, along with a second half strike from Jimmy Knowles sealed a comprehensive victory for the Magpies.

Manager Dean Brennan made two changes to the side that drew with Sutton United in an enthralling encounter last weekend, with attacker Charlie Wakefield and defender Jack Cawley returning to the starting line-up for the Stones.

The Magpies started the match the brighter of the two sides, nearly seizing the initiative within the fifth minute as Elisha Sam struck a powerful effort from distance, but Harry Isted was equal to the effort, tipping it onto the crossbar.

The Stones’ ‘keeper then followed-up with a sublime save to thwart Kyle Wootton’s rebound and preserve the score line.

Notts County continued to pile on the pressure and took the lead in the 15th minute as Boldewijn pounced on Ruben Rodrigues’ rebound to convert past Isted.

Wealdstone’s fortunes took a further dent four minutes later as Sam beat his man on the left wing and dispatched past Isted from an acute angle to double the Magpies’ advantage.

The home side dominated the remainder of the first half and should have been leading by a higher margin, but Isted produced an array of fines saves for the visitors.

On the stroke of halftime, the Stones were agonisingly close to reducing the deficit. Ross Lafayette held up the ball well and squared to Connor Smith on the edge of the box, but his shot curled just wide of the target.

The second half continued in a similar vein for Wealdstone as they struggled to generate any clear goal scoring opportunities. They nearly conceded another goal in the 57th minute, but Michee Efete made a vital goal line block.

The Stones began to play more attacking and expansive football with the introduction of substitutes Dennon Lewis and Kundai Benyu, as they searched for a way back into the match.

However, the Magpies capped an impressive performance in the 89th minute as substitute Knowles, who had only just stepped onto the pitch, converted past Isted to with his first touch to treble their lead.

Wealdstone return to action on Tuesday night, when they host Torquay United, in a 7.45pm kick off at Grosvenor Vale.

WEALDSTONE: Isted, Efete, Okimo (C), Phillips (Parrett, 45), Smith, Lafayette (Lewis, 57), Green (Benyu, 69), Parish, Mendy, Wakefield, Cawley.

Subs not used: Askew, Slew.

Report by Nicole Cho-Yee