REPORT: Sutton United 0-2 Wealdstone

WEALDSTONE recorded their first win of the season, running out deserved and utterly dominant 2-0 victors at Enterprise National League table-toppers Sutton United thanks to a brace from striker Micah Obiero.

Stones made more chances than they took, such was their share of the opportunities throughout a composed performance at the Borough Sports Ground in front of nearly 250 travelling fans.

A goal in each half from Obiero, taking his tally to three for the season, simply confirmed the visitor's and rightful claim to all three points.

Royals' boss Gary Waddock was dealt a conundrum in the warm-up when Dan Chesters had to withdraw with a knee complaint picked up in the warm-up. Kyle Smith started in place of the forward.

That meant the number of changes to the starting line-up from Friday's draw at home to Carlisle United reduced to four before kick-off. Joe Newton came in for Jaydn Mundle-Smith, Aidan Francis-Clarke replaced Mason Barrett, Dylan Kadji returned from suspension in place of Aaron Henry and Jayden Harris took Fela Olomola's place.

Top-of-the-table Sutton would've disappointed the sizeable Bank Holiday crowd with a toothless first 45, while Wealdstone took one of three really good chances they fashioned.

From a first foray into the host's penalty area on 12 minutes, Micah Obiero skilfully finished with a shot on the turn after Smith's cross had been headed down by not away by a United defender.

Nine minutes later, Newton passed up arguably a better chance. Stealing in at the far post, he couldn't sort his feet out and another good cross from Smith - this time lower than his first - bobbled tamely wide off Newton's shin.

Obiero will know he should have had Stones two to the good - and in doing so his third goal of the league campaign - when reading a Luke Norris flick-on perfectly four minutes from half-time. But, having got past his man, he side-footed over with only the keeper to beat at an angle eight yards out.

Apart from dealing with a series of Dan Urpens' long throws into their box, Wealdstone would've only felt threatened in injury-time when the ball fell kindly for David Ogbonna 20 yards out, but he blazed harmlessly off-target.

Reiterating their earlier dominance, the second-half chances were almost exclusively Wealdstone's.

Obiero went inches wide six minutes after the interval with a shot on the edge of the box after a good cross-field move ended with a Smith lay-off.

Then another trio of opportunities which ended with the second goal. First, on 63 minutes, Smith's early cross bounced awkwardly and a defender did well to block Obiero's stab at goal.

Shortly after, Jack Wells-Morrison tried his luck from a free-kick on the corner of the box, but Sutton keeper Spike Brits responded with a flying catch.

Then, on 67 minutes, a second for Obiero and the Stones. His attempted flick round Jermaine Francis was handled 16 yards from goal, and the striker stepped up to expertly convert from the penalty spot - high to Brits' left into the top of the net.

United's frustrations at their lack of rhythm turned into a series of cynical fouls and resultant yellow cards, as Wealdstone countered on their hosts with purpose.

The nearest Sutton came to a consolation gave Dante Baptiste - largely untroubled beforehand - the chance to show his outstanding agility with a fingertip save full-length to his right from Temi Babalola's header.

Newly-arrived Tyrelle Newton, on as sub for Dylan Kadji, even had a chance to make it three but skied a 20-yarder deep into injury-time.

U's: Brits; Francis (Folarin 77), Urpens, Kirk, Topalloj; Taylor (c) (Mussa 54), Osadebe; Carter, Bell (Njoku 57); Ogbonna, Bablola.

Subs not used: Haigh (GK), Byron, Landeta, Bello.

Stones: Baptiste; Francis-Clarke, Conroy (Barrett 32), McAvoy (c); Smith, Wells-Morrison, Kadji (T Newton 81), J Newton (Mundle-Smith 69); Harris (Olomola 69), Obiero; Norris.

Subs not used: Johnson (GK), Waweru.

Att: 2,197 (242 Stones' fans).