Report - Wealdstone 0 – 0 Maidenhead Utd
A competitive 0-0 draw with National League side Maidenhead United was played out at Grosvenor Vale last night with both sides proving a stubborn test for each other.
Wadah Ahmidi was given his first start of pre-season for the Stones with Matt Lench and Danny Green also returning to the matchday squad but on the subs bench.
The Magpies had the first chance of the game on 9 minutes with Herson Alves pulling a spectacular point-blank save from Jonathan North who clawed the ball away from goal after it had passed him.
North was beaten eventually when Ryan Bird beat him to a cross but luckily for the keeper Connor Stevens was behind the pair to clear off the line.
Josh Kelly and Adrian Clifton were introduced at half time for the visitors with the latter having an instant chance, blasting an effort across the face of North’s goal.
The Stones then saw two glorious opportunities fall to Stefan Brown, firstly Freddie Grant picked him out on the edge of the area but he hit his shot into the ground and Carl Pentney collected.
Then Jeffrey Monakana whip in a great delivery to Brown at the far post but he could only get the slightest of touches to guide it into the side netting at the far post.
Maidenhead’s two half time changes then combined with Clifton threading a ball through to Kelly, North denied him with his leg and then caught Clifton’s headed rebound.
Bradley Hudson-Odoi went close soon after when Lench picked him out free on the left, he cut inside and swerved a shot at goal from the edge of the box but it just curled wide.
North was then replaced by Callum Thomas in goal and the young keeper pulled off two good saves to deny the visitors. Firstly tipping over Nana Owusu’s free kick and then denying Ryan Upward’s low effort with his leg from the resulting corner.
Owusu almost won it in the final minute for Maidenhead with a shot from the edge of the area but his shot went just over Thomas’ goal.
The Stones are back in action on Saturday when they host Maidenhead’s National League divisional rivals Aldershot Town at Grosvenor Vale. Admission is reduced at £8 Adults, £4 Concessions and £3 U18s.
WEALDSTONE: North (Thomas 71), Tyler, Grant, Stevens, Okimo (Wilson 58), Poku, Monakana (Lench 58), Ahmidi (Clark 58), Brown (Bubb 58), Pratt (Green 58), Hudson-Odoi.
By Chris Woods
Pictures Courtesy of Adam Williams
