REPORT: Gateshead 1-0 Wealdstone

The Stones’ three game winning streak came to an end after a narrow 1-0 defeat on the road against Gateshead.

A first half goal from Ashley Boatswain just before half time proved decisive, giving the Heeds a boost in their fight for survival in the National League.

Gary Waddock made two changes to his side that produced a five-star performance against Solihull Moors last Saturday, as Agyemang and Spencer returned to Wealdstone’s starting eleven.

The hosts started on the front foot, as Gilsenan found space on the left flank and scooped a cross to the back post, but Richardson’s header drifted wide.

Baptiste was called into action on the 18^th minute mark as Storey was played through on goal, but the Wealdstone keeper reacted sharply off his line to heroically gather at the winger’s feet.

The Stones first clear-cut opportunity came in the 24^th minute, as Tiensia surged down the left wing and slid the ball across the face of goal, but there was no Wealdstone player on hand to get on the end of it.

The tempo lifted minutes before the break as Chapman’s effort deflected off Agyemang and swerved goalwards, but Baptiste reacted quickest to prevent an own goal.

On the stroke of half time, the hosts broke the deadlock when Nicholson launched a long throw into the Stones’ box and Boatswain’s flick nestled into the bottom right corner, leaving Waddock’s side trailing at the interval.

Elliot’s side returned from the break in the same attacking vein as Radcliffe sprinted down the right flank, delivered a cross towards Boatswain, whose glancing header coasted wide of Baptiste’s post.

Gateshead continued to apply the pressure in the 50^th minute as Nicholson delivered a threatening cross that picked out Gilsenan, but his header fell straight at Baptiste.

The Heeds began to wrestle control of the match and created a couple of half-chances, so Gary Waddock reacted by making a triple-change in the 62nd minute.

Tshikuna went searching for an equaliser approaching the 70^th minute, surging through the middle before lifting a 20-yard effort that swerved just wide of Desbois’ right-hand post.

Entering additional time, Tshikuna threatened once more, this time from a corner, sending the ball deep to a cluster of yellow shirts at the back post, but his ball trickled out for a goal kick.

Gateshead launched one final attack as Richardson plucked the ball out at the back post, forcing Baptiste to make himself big to deny the Heeds a second, but the linesman’s flag was raised for offside to confirm a narrow defeat on the road for the Stones.

Wealdstone return to action this Saturday, on the 21^st of March, as they travel to take on Robbie Savage’s Forest Green Rovers in a 3pm kick off.

Wealdstone: Baptiste, Woodman, Boldewijn, Obiero, Hutchinson, Tshikuna, McAvoy (Barrett 88), Agyemang (Olomola 76), Spencer (Hinchy 62), Adarkwa (Adu-Poku 62), Tiensia (Georgiou 62).

Subs not used: Johnson, Waller.