MATCH REPORT | Wealdstone 2-3 Brentford B

Wealdstone were knocked out at the quarter-final stage of the Middlesex Senior Cup by Brentford B at Grosvenor Vale this evening.

Stuart Maynard made a number of changes from the side that were defeated by high-flying Wrexham on Saturday. Most notably, former Wealdstone Academy graduate Eli Hearn was named to the starting line-up, alongside goalkeeper Dante Baptiste, while Max Kretzschmar was given the captain’s armband.

Goals from Tristan Crama and first-teamer Frank Onyeka put the Bees into a commanding position; however a wonder strike from Tarrelle Whittaker and a clinical finish from Olufela Olomola drew the Stones level, before Romeo Beckham broke Wealdstone fans’ hearts on Valentine's Day with a late winner.

Brentford B made a bright start, taking the lead within ten minutes of play when French centre back and captain, Crama, surged forward and drilled a powerful strike from range into the bottom corner past Baptiste.

The Bees doubled their lead on the 22nd minute mark as Nigerian international Onyeka combined with Roy Syla, before slotting home to put the visitors in control.

Two minutes shy of the interval, the Stones nearly pulled a goal back when Giovanni McGregor’s superb free kick from just outside the area rebounded off of the crossbar.

On the stroke of half time, Wealdstone finally reduced the deficit in spectacular style when Whittaker picked up the ball from 30 yards out and rifled a shot into the top corner.

Maynard’s side returned from the break with added impetus and duly equalised within seven minutes of the restart. Top goalscorer Olomola was played through and coolly fired into the bottom corner past Ben Winterbottom.

With the match nicely poised, Beckham, on loan from Inter Miami II was introduced with 20 minutes to go as the Bees rallied for a winner.

Two minutes from time, Brentford B came close to scoring when the ball fell to J’Neil Bennett, but the substitute blazed his effort over the crossbar from close range.

As the contest looked to be heading towards penalties, man-of-the-moment Beckham popped up in the 93rd minute to nod the ball home at the far post and advance his team into the semi-finals.

Wealdstone return to action on Saturday 18th February when they entertain York City at Grosvenor Vale in a 3PM kick off.

WEALDSTONE: Baptiste, Hearn (Barker 45), Barrett, Kinsella, Mundle-Smith, McGregor, Ferguson, Kretzschmar (Charles 45), Hutchinson (Ilunga 73), Whittaker (Obiero 76), Olomola.

Sub not used: Shrowder.

Attendance: 282

Report by Nicole Cho-Yee