MATCH REPORT | WEALDSTONE 1-0 BRAINTREE TOWN

Wealdstone continued their fine run of form to edge Braintree Town 1-0 at Grosvenor Vale and solidify eighth position in the National League table.

Sam Cox made two changes to the side that defeated Yeovil Town on Tuesday evening, as Deon Woodman returned from suspension and Steven Turner was handed his first start for the Stones.

Super-sub Daniel Nkrumah’s late goal proved the difference between the two sides as Cox’s men notched their third consecutive clean sheet, while Steve Pitt’s side slipped further into the relegation zone.

The Iron were quick out of the traps, with Chay Cooper surging down the right wing in the fifth minute and firing a shot on target that was smartly saved by Dante Baptiste; Wealdstone’s shot-stopper was then on hand to deny Terrell Works’ rebound.

Moments later, Marley Marshall-Miranda rose highest to direct his header towards the goal, with Baptiste again well-position to clear the ball off of the line.

The Stones gradually settled into the rhythm of the match and began to dominate possession, calving out an opportunity in the 18^th minute with the lively Sak Hassan firing a fierce effort from range that narrowly flew over the crossbar.

Pitt’s side continued to prove a threat, with Regan Clayton testing Baptiste with a powerful free-kick from 25-yards out in the 35^th minute, but the Stones’ custodian was equal to his effort.

Two minutes later, the visitors should have taken the lead when Cooper curled a dangerous ball behind the Wealdstone defence to Works, but the striker skewed his shot wide.

As the first-half entered stoppage time, the Stones generated their best chance, with Terrell Agyemang stinging the palms of Jack Thompson’s gloves from the edge of the area.

Cox’s side emerged from the interval on the front-foot and were close to seizing the initiative in the 48^th minute when Micah Obiero cut inside and fired from a tight angle, with Terry producing a vital block to thwart the striker.

Aerial threat Connor McAvoy was next to nearly score for the Stones in the 54^th minute, connecting well with Anthony Georgiou’s corner, but denied by Thompson.

As the second-half progressed, the Stones began to up the ante and they were agonisingly close to scoring in the 67^th minute when substitute Nathan Tshikuna rattled the crossbar with a venomous strike.

Down the opposing end, James Vennings burst through on goal for a one-on-one with Baptiste, with Wealdstone’s number reacting with a vital save in the 71^st minute.

Wealdstone finally broke the deadlock in the 83^rd minute through substitute Nkruman, who latched onto Dylan Kadji’s through ball and fired the ball home through Thompson’s legs.

Three minute before the stroke of regulation time, the Iron had the chance to salvage a point, but Cooper’s driven strike was deflected just wide.

With seven minutes of additional time, Baptiste produced two more heroic saves to ensure his team sealed all three points – first denying John Akinde’s header with a phenomenal save onto the bar, then tipping Sahid Kamara’s long-distance strike over the crossbar with an acrobatic save.

Drama ensued after the whistle with a heated exchange that escalated into an altercation between both sets of players and staff, resulting in Deon Woodman and Chay Cooper being shown straight red cards by the referee.

The Stones return to action next Saturday 15^th November as they travel to the Prestige Group Stadium to face Hartlepool United in a 3pm kick-off.

Wealdstone: Baptiste, Boldewijn, Woodman, McAvoy, Hutchinson (Nsasi 73), Agyemang (Mussa 73), Turner (Kadji 57), Georgiou, Hassan, Obiero (Nkrumah 57), Kretzschmar (Tshikuna 42).

Subs not used: Graczyk, Cook.

Attendance: 1, 407