MATCH REPORT | Wealdstone 5-1 Barnet

Wealdstone produced an excellent performance this afternoon, thrashing local rivals and relegation strugglers Barnet at The Vale.

Goals from Jerome Okimo, Craig Fasanmade and Jacob Mendy, along with a Dennon Lewis brace stung the Bees for five as Courtney Baker-Richardson scored a conciliatory goal for the visitors.

Manager Stuart Maynard made two changes to the side that gained a credible draw against Bromley on Good Friday, with Jake Askew making his debut in goal after Harry Isted was recalled by parent club Luton Town and Alex Dyer replacing the suspended Ashley Charles in midfield. Dan Wishart returned to the bench for the home side, alongside new signing Jamie Fielding.

The Stones made the perfect start for the second successive match, scoring within five minutes as captain Okimo rose highest to power home Danny Green’s corner past Aymen Azaze from six yards.

Wealdstone continued their positive start, dominating possession and pressing high as they looked to double their advantage. They were rewarded in the 29th minute when winger Ryan Gondoh slid through Lewis, whose deflected effort looped over Azaze to double the Stones’ lead.

Four minutes before halftime, the visitors were close to reducing the deficit when Baker-Richardson combined with Antonis Vasilous, but the latter curled his effort just wide of Askew’s right-hand post.

A minute into the second half, the Bees pulled a goal back as Vasilous crossed to Baker-Richardson for a simple tap-in past Askew.

However, the Bees were reduced to ten men in the 57th minute as referee Adrian Quelch produced a straight red for Baker-Richardson after an off the ball incident.

Despite this, Barnet were nearly on level terms with Wealdstone when substitute Muhammadu Faal was played through on goal, but debutant Askew, who had been superb all match, made a fantastic save to preserve his side’s lead.

The Stones then made the most of their numerical advantage; with Fasanmade making an instant impact from the bench to net his first goal for the club, a minute after his introduction, converting the rampant Lewis’ square ball past Azaze.

A minute later, Mendy was brought down in the box by Lee Vaughan to earn Wealdstone a penalty. The left back stepped up to duly convert from the spot and notch his eighth goal of the season.

The rout was completed in the 77th minute as hotshot Lewis fired past Azaze to finished off a brilliant Stones move and seal his brace.

Barnet’s afternoon took a further dent when Anthony Wordsworth hobbled off injured; leaving the visitors with just nine players as all three substitutions had been used.

After a dominant defensive display and a goal, Okimo made way for 16-year old academy player Eli Hearn to make his debut for the Stones in the 86th minute.

Wealdstone return to action Saturday 10th April when they travel to face Boreham Wood, in a 3pm kickoff.

WEALDSTONE: Askew, Harbottle, Okimo (c) (Hearn 85), Cawley, Mendy, Dyer, Phillips, Smith (Fasanmade 68), Gondoh (Parish 74), Green, Lewis.

Subs not used: Wishart, Fielding.

BARNET: Azaze, Taylor, Daly (c), Preston, Vaughan, McQueen (Faal 64), McBurnie (Adeloye 68), Wordsworth, Vasilou (Hooper 78), Baker-Richardson, Mason-Clark.

Subs not used: Callan, Nugent.

Report by Nicole Cho-Yee