REPORT: Stones Defeated By Shrimpers In Penalty Shootout At Wembley

Wealdstone suffered heartache in final of the Isuzu FA Trophy at Wembley, losing 4-2 in a dramatic penalty shoot-out to Southend United, after a captivating goalless draw.

Gus Scott-Morriss scored the winning spot-kick for the Shrimpers after shot-stopper Collin Andeng-Ndi had saved efforts from substitutes Fela Olomola and Jack Hinchy.

Gary Waddock named a strong starting line-up for the Stones’ historic contest against the Shrimpers, with skipper Jack Cook returning from injury to lead out the team.

Southend United started on the front-foot and looked destined to take an early lead in the sixth minute when Scott-Morriss released Harry Cardwell, who unleashed a fierce strike that rattled the inside of Dante Baptiste’s left post.

Kevin Maher’s side threatened to seize the initiative again three minutes later as Leon Parillon burst down the left wing and squared to Oli Coker, whose deflected shot was well-claimed by Baptiste.

The Stones began to settle into the rhythm of the match, galvanising their own chance on the 15 minute mark when Dom Hutchinson smartly slipped the ball to Sean Adarkwa, but James Golding intervened with a vital tackle to halt the striker.

Four minutes later, Wealdstone came close to scoring again as Nathan Tshikuna whipped in a teasing inswinging corner that had to be clawed to safety by Andeng-Ndi.

In the 27^th minute, Scott-Morriss had the ball in the back of the net for the Shrimpers after Jack Bridge’s corner, but the referee blew the whistle for a foul on Baptiste in the build up.

Wealdstone continued to dominate possession as the first-half progressed, calving out an opportunity in the 34^th minute as Micah Obiero swivelled in the area and curled an effort over the crossbar.

As half-time approached, the game began to open up, and the Shrimpers had a sight of goal in the 42^nd minute when Parillon surged forward, but the midfielder’s strike soared over the bar.

Moments later, the Stones came tantalisingly close to breaking the deadlock; Obiero fed Anthony Georgiou on the left flank and the winger unleashed a venomous strike towards the top corner that drew a brilliant fingertip save from Andeng-Ndi.

Although goalless at half-time, Waddock’s side went into the interval confident after a dominant first-half display.

The Stones were quick out of the traps in the second-half and nearly drew first-blood when Hutchinson raced down the right wing, played a clever pass to Dylan Kadji, who back-heeled into the path of Obiero, but the talisman was unable to capitalise.

Five minutes later, Wealdstone mounted another attack with Kadji driving through the centre of the pitch and threading through a pinpoint ball to Obiero, who curled a strike toward the bottom corner, however Andeng-Ndi was equal to his effort.

With 20 minutes remaining, the Shrimpers found Bridge in space on the left-hand side of the box; he surged towards goal, but Baptiste reacted with a superb save to thwart the danger.

Southend United continued to press for a late goal and Baptiste produced further heroics, acrobatically pushing substitute Keenan Appiah-Forson’s looping shot onto the crossbar.

As the final entered its climatic stages, the Stones came close to finding a breakthrough when Georgiou found Obiero in the area, whose shot was deflected agonisingly wide.

The Stones were relentless in their pursuit of a goal and were nearly fruitful in the 82^nd minute when the ball fell to Georgiou after a scramble in the box, but the winger’s effort flew over the bar.

Substitute Hinchy looked like scoring at the death as he curled a powerful shot from range towards the top corner; however Andeng-Ndi palmed the ball to safety.

Despite eight additional minutes, both sides produced resolute defending to nullify their opponents, sending the contest into penalties.

Wealdstone: Baptiste, Cook (Tiensia 46), Georgiou (Mussa 90), Woodman, Kadji (Olomola 90+2), Obiero, Hutchinson (Adu-Poku 77), Tshikuna, McAvoy, Wells-Morrison, Adarkwa (Hinchy 78).Subs not used: Johnson, Nathaniel-George.

Attendance: 43, 306