MATCH REPORT | Wealdstone 3-1 Hungerford Town

Wealdstone ended pre-season unbeaten after an impressive 3-1 victory over National League South side Hungerford Town at Grosvenor Vale.

The Stones blitzed the visitors away in the first half with a double from Josh Umerah and a Dennon Lewis goal leaving them 3-0 up at the break. Jake Evans scored a rebounded effort for Hungerford in the second half.

George Wickens and Charlie Cooper were both in the starting eleven after their signings were made official during the week. Ashley Charles also returned from injury to make the bench.

Wealdstone took the lead inside nine minutes when Lewis burst through down the right crossing low to Umerah who had the simplest of finishes.

That lead was doubled ten minutes later after a Stones corner was headed clear to Cooper, he squared to Lewis who swerved into the bottom corner from 25 yards out.

Hungerford almost clawed one back moments later when Ryan Seager was played in on goal but Wickens was out quick and big to deny the forward.

The third goal was the pick of the bunch. Lewis hit the Crusaders on a counter attack down the right wing, crossing deep for Andrew Eleftheriou who cut it back for Umerah to slot home for his second of the game.

Wealdstone almost when four up just seconds into the second half. Matt Buse capitalised on a loose ball from James Rusby but rolled his effort wide when clean through on goal.

Umerah was denied a hat-trick on 56 minutes after Buse played him in on goal, his effort was on target by Luke Cairney stuck out a leg to deny him.

The visitors grabbed one back on 70 minutes. Seager was played in on goal, he beat Jack Cook with a cut back only to see his effort thwarted by Wickens, it fell to Evans though who tapped in from a few yards out.

The game turned sour late on when Stones sub Zach Dronfield was sent off for a challenge on George Smith, with all 22 players involved in the afters that followed.

Wealdstone begin their 2021/22 National League campaign at home to Woking next Saturday, with a 3pm kick off at Grosvenor Vale.

WEALDSTONE: Wickens, Tavares, Cook, Okimo (c), Lewis, Buse (Charles 64), Dyer (Dronfield 80), Cooper, Eleftheriou, Browne (Parish 77), Umerah.

Subs not used: Marigliani, Wishart, Fasanmade, Elito, Cawley.

Report by Chris Woods