REPORT: AFC Fylde 2-2 Wealdstone

Wealdstone kicked off their 2026/27 Enterprise National League season with an absolute thriller against AFC Fylde, Olufela Olomola securing a point for the Stones in the dying stages.

 Wealdstone almost made the perfect start to the season. The kick-off was passed back to Dante Baptiste, who played a long ball into the path of Luke Norris. He expertly chested the ball and fired a volley towards the top corner from outside the box, which had to be stopped by Zac Jones.

Following a shaky start, the hosts grew into the game. They created an excellent chance in the 9th minute as some intricate play saw Chris Merrie played through on goal. Thankfully, Baptiste was able to make himself big and pull off a top save to keep the scores level.

Wealdstone’s number one was forced into action once again three minutes later. Danny Mayor was able to glide through the centre of the park and place a shot towards the bottom corner, but Baptiste palmed the shot away at full stretch.

The Coasters forced Baptiste into yet another top-draw save just before the half-hour mark. A deflected cross fell into the path of the prolific Danny Ormerod, but he was off balance as he took his shot. The lack of power on the strike almost caught Baptiste out, but he was able to readjust and keep the ball out of the net.

Gary Waddock’s side struggled to complete a pass in the Fylde half, and this sloppiness almost cost them. The hosts capitalised on a loose ball and executed an incisive counterattack, which only lacked a quality finish.

This spurned opportunity helped to wake the Stones up. Norris showed good strength to fend off his man and set up Jack Wells-Morrison in the 36th minute. His effort from close range was smothered by the Fylde goalkeeper, and the game coasted towards half time.

Half time: AFC Fylde 0-0 Wealdstone

After taking on some words of wisdom at the break, Wealdstone started the second period in much better fashion, but were unable to create any clear-cut chances.

Fylde started to grow into the half just before the 60-minute mark, but they could only create half-chances which didn’t cause Baptiste any real trouble.

They took the lead in the 66th minute with what can only be described as a rocket of a strike. Adam Lewis’ effort from over 30 yards out flew straight into the top corner, giving Baptiste no chance of making a save.

Wealdstone began to get on the front foot after falling behind, and, in the 75th minute, they had two chances to equalise.

Energised by the introductions of Aidan Francis-Clarke, Kyle Smith and Jayden Harris, they put together their best passing move of the game. Smith initially crossed to Obiero, whose effort was blocked, before the ball fell to Norris, unmarked on the edge of the six-yard box, but he could only steer his header wide of goal.

The Stones began taking more risks, and, while this made them more defensively open, it led to the equaliser in the 78th minute. Smith put in a peach of a cross, and Norris bullied his man to win his header, which bounced over the Coasters’ goalkeeper to level the scoring!

Unfortunately, Fylde regained the lead six minutes from the end of normal time, Jack Morris capitalising on a mistake from Baptiste.

But the Stones didn’t just lie down and accept defeat. In the 88th minute, Mason Barrett played a long ball upfield which eventually found its way to Jayden Harris. He fired a low ball across the box, and Olufela Olomola stole in at the back post to tap in at full stretch!

Full time: AFC Fylde 2-2 Wealdstone Attendance: 1,103 (179 Wealdstone supporters)

Wealdstone starting XI: Dante Baptiste, Mason Barrett, Dion Conroy (Aidan Francis-Clarke, 65’), Connor McAvoy, Dan Chesters (Kyle Smith, 65’), Dylan Kadji (Olufela Olomola, 75’), Aaron Henry (Jayden Harris, 65’), Jack Wells-Morrison, Joe Newton, Luke Norris (Josh Mullins, 85’), Micah Obiero.

Subs not used: Endurance Johnson, Jaydn Mundle-Smith.