REPORT: ST ALBANS CITY 1-0 WEALDSTONE

Wealdstone are defeated by a late goal at Clarence Park in their final away trip of pre-season.

A dominant first-half could have seen the Stones ahead had it not been for a stellar performance from St Albans City goalkeeper Magnus Norman.

With changes made and the game more open, Tom Jennings finished calmly in the 88th minute to give his side the win.

With only three games remaining of pre-season, Sam Cox opted for a similar team that faced Charlton in midweek, looking to build momentum and fitness into his side. Dom Hutchinson came in for his first start of pre-season, as did Omar Mussa, making his first start since signing for the Stones just last week.

With the Stones holding the majority share of possession from early on, the home side looked to hit the Stones on the break from the off. A scything through ball set Leo Sery through on goal, three minutes in, his effort being denied by Dante Baptiste, down to his left.

The Stones pressure began to ramp up, with their first chance of the game falling to Sean Adarkwa inside the area. His effort looked destined to ripple the back of the net, only for Magnus Norman to make a stunning save down to his right.

Max Kretzschmar was next to try his luck, collecting the ball and turning on the edge of the area to work space and shoot. His effort could only fall into the hands of Norman.

Still on top in the game, Cox’s side pushed hard for the opener, looking to go into the break ahead. Brilliant skill from Adarkwa, 32 minutes in, allowed him to work space in the area to shoot, but with the goal to aim at, his finish forced another save out of Norman in the visitor’s goal.

Similar to the first period, the visitors looked to strike quickly. Having beaten the offside trap, Sery squared into the path of an onrushing St Albans forward, but with the whole goal to aim at, he forced a brilliant save out of Baptiste, who covered the ground quickly to deny the hosts.

With a whole host of changes, the game began to open up with both sides creating openings. 60 minutes in, a whipped ball into the box fell into the path of the lively Sery, who’s header flew just wide of Baptiste’s goal.

With the game opening up, the Stones looked to finally break the stubborn St Albans defence. Slipped through on goal, Trialist B looked to go under the legs of Norman, his effort going narrowly wide once more.

With the game in its dying embers, the hosts looked to capitalise on sloppy Stones defending. Jennings picked up the ball on the edge of the area, shifted the ball onto his right foot and finished calmly to give his side the win late on.

Next up for the Stones, the penultimate pre-season fixture at Grosvenor Vale on Tuesday against QPR U21s, buy tickets HERE.

Wealdstone XI: Baptiste, Cook (Trialist E 60'), Trialist A, Tiensia (Woodman 45'), Hutchinson, Mussa, Kadji (Boldewijn 60'), Kretzschmar (Trialist B 45'), Hassan, Obiero (Trialist C 60'), Adarkwa (Trialist D 60').