REPORT: Chertsey Town 2-0 Wealdstone

Wealdstone fell to a 2-0 defeat against Chertsey Town as their preparations for the new season continued at Alwyns Lane.

After a goalless opening half, the hosts struck twice following the restart to secure victory, while Stones forward Olufela Olomola saw a second-half penalty saved.

Wealdstone lined up in their black and green third kit, with new signing Jayden Harris captaining a starting XI containing several trialists.

The Stones created the first notable opportunity of the evening after 12 minutes. Kyle Smith burst forward down the right wing before delivering a low cross into the penalty area, but Trialist H’s effort was well saved by the Chertsey goalkeeper.

The hosts worked hard to disrupt Wealdstone’s rhythm in possession, with the number of unfamiliar faces in the Stones’ side understandably affecting their fluency during the opening stages.

Harris looked to create an opening just before the half-hour mark, playing a neat one-two with Sekyere before being quickly closed down as he attempted to get a shot away.

Chertsey began to pose a greater threat as the interval approached. The Stones failed to fully clear a corner in the 32nd minute, allowing the ball to fall to a home attacker, although the resulting effort was fired over the crossbar.

Trialist A (the goalkeeper) was then called into action twice before half-time. He first scrambled across his line to prevent a free-kick from creeping in at the near post before producing an impressive point-blank save after a well-worked Chertsey move sent an attacker through on goal.

The two sides went into the interval level and Wealdstone rolled the changes at half time, beginning the second half with a near full strength XI.

HALF-TIME: Chertsey Town 0-0 Wealdstone

Chertsey opened the scoring shortly after the restart, a first time finish from a low cross after dominating the first 5 minutes since half-time.

The goal prompted an immediate response from the Stones. The ball was pulled back into the path of Dylan Kadji inside the penalty area, but his first-time effort sailed over the crossbar.

The changes made at the break began to have an impact, with Wealdstone taking control of possession and pushing in search of an equaliser.

Olomola twice went close in quick succession. A left-footed strike following a sharp passing move was well saved before an inviting cross from Joe Newton picked him out inside the box, only for the forward to steer his effort into the goalkeeper’s arms.

Despite the Stones’ improved spell, Chertsey doubled their advantage in the 65th minute. The hosts broke quickly on the counterattack and delivered a dangerous cross into the area, which was converted at the second attempt.

Wealdstone were presented with an opportunity to reduce the deficit five minutes later when Newton was brought down after racing into the box. Olomola stepped up to take the resulting penalty, but his effort was saved by the Chertsey goalkeeper.

Chertsey almost added a third in the closing stages after confidently working the ball into space on the edge of the area, but the eventual shot effort curled narrowly over the crossbar.

The final whistle confirmed a 2-0 defeat for Wealdstone, with another valuable 90 minutes in the legs as the squad’s pre-season preparations continue. The Stones will be back in action this Saturday when they host MK Dons at The Vale in a 3pm kick-off. 

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FULL-TIME: Chertsey Town 2-0 Wealdstone

Wealdstone: Trialist A, Trialist B, Trialist C, Trialist D, Trialist E, Trialist F, Smith, Trialist G, Trialist H, Harris, Sekyere

Subs: Baptiste, Cook, Newton, Wells-Morrison, Barrett, Kadji, Olomola, Obiero, Henry, Trialst I