REPORT | WEALDSTONE 1-3 ROCHDALE

Wealdstone suffered defeat to high-flying Rochdale, losing 1-3 at Grosvenor Vale to the league leaders.

An early goal from Aidan Barlow, along with finishes from Devante Rodney and Emmanuel Dieseruvwe put the visitors in a commanding lead, with Alfie Massey’s late strike proving only consolatory for the Stones.

The Dale were quick out of the traps, nearly seizing an early advantage within two minutes through a rocket from Devante Rodney, with only a superb save from Dante Baptiste denying the attacker.

Rochdale did not have to wait long to forge ahead, as two minutes later, Barlow fired home past Baptiste to send his side into the lead.

Moments later, Barlow had the opportunity to double the visitors’ advantage, as top scorer Emmanuel Dieseruvwe slotted him through on goal; however Phillip Chinedu produced a vital slide-tackle to thwart the danger.

McNulty’s side continued in the ascendancy and Rodney slid through Barlow on the 20th minute mark, but the goalscorer could only poke his effort just wide of the target.

The Stones began to edge their way back into the contest and were nearly on level terms when Michah Obiero broke down the right-hand side and drilled a cross towards Omar Mussa, whose shot was excellently saved at point-blank range by Oliver Whatmuff.

In the 39th minute, Wealdstone won a free-kick in a dangerous position and Nathan Tshikuna’s strike flew narrowly wide of Whatmuff’s post.

Fminutes before the stroke of half-time, the Dale doubled their advantage in style as Rodney turned Jack Cook and fired past Baptiste from just inside the area.

The Stones’ hopes of a comeback took a further dent, conceding another goal within one minute of the restart, as Dieseruvwe powered a header home past Baptiste to notch his fifth goal of the season.

Despite Cox’s side trailing by three goals, Wealdstonecontinued to search for an opening, with Alfie Massey dragging his shot wide from just outside the box in the 56thminute.

The Dale did not take their foot of the gas, nearly netting a fourth in the 63rd minute, with Rodney’s clever back-heel finding former Stone Tarryn Allarakhia, who fired wide of the near post.

With 14 minute left, the Stones reduced the deficit through man-of-the-match Massey who surged forward and dispatched past Whatmuff to set up a tense finale.

Cox’s men came close to pulling another goal back in the 82ndminute with Sam Beckwith blocking Adarkwa’s goal-bound effort.

For the remainder of the match, the Stones pinned the Dale into their own half as they looked rally for another late goal, but the visitors held firm.

Wealdstone return to action on Tuesday evening at Grosvenor Vale when they entertain Southend United in a 7:45pm kick-off.

Wealdstone: Baptiste; Cook, Woodman, Chinedu, Boldewijn, Mussa, (Kadji 70’), Massey, Georgiou (Hassan 80), Hutchinson (Nkrumah 64’), Obiero (Adarkwa 65’), Tshikuna.

Subs not used: Covolan, Diarra, Tiensia.

ATTENDANCE: 1,365