REPORT: Wealdstone 1-0 AFC Wimbledon

The Stones back up Saturday’s impressive showing against MK Dons with another strong performance against League One opposition by defeating AFC Wimbledon at The Vale on Tuesday night.

Gary Waddock will have been pleased to see the impact of new signing, Dan Chesters, who scored the only goal of the game on a very warm evening in Ruislip.

Chances were at a premium in the opening 20 minutes, but it was an absorbing contest with both sides competing well to cancel each other out.

Chesters broke the deadlock in the 22^nd minute with one of the first good chances of the game. Trialist B got onto the end of a long ball and managed to bundle it into the path of the dynamic wing-back who placed his shot calmly into the bottom left corner.

AFC Wimbledon’s best chance of the first half came from a 37^th minute free kick. Kai Jennings crossed towards the back post and Riley Horan rose highest only to send his header looping over the bar.

Wealdstone almost doubled their lead just before the break as Micah Obiero threaded a ball through to Trialist B, who attempted a shot from a tight angle which flew into the side netting.

HALF-TIME Wealdstone 1-0 Wimbledon

Gary Waddock made several changes at the break as Olufela Olomla was introduced alongside three more trialists.

Wimbledon started the second period strongest, and Dante Baptiste was twice called into action in the 52^nd minute, palming away a powerful strike from the edge of the area initially, before quickly recovering to keep out a follow-up shot from close range.

The Stones could have doubled their lead on the hour mark after benefiting from slack play at the back by AFC Wimbledon.

The visitor’s trialist goalkeeper was given a firm back-pass which he sliced straight up into the air while trying to clear his lines, forcing him to catch the ball under pressure from Olufela Olomola which resulted in an indirect free-kick to Wealdstone.

At the free-kick the ball was shifted to the right to Jayden Harris who lifted his shot over the bar from close range.

Wealdstone made further changes, introducing yet more trialists as the tempo of the game began to fall off slightly in the north-west London heat.

Wimbledon continued to push for an equaliser however and managed to work a shooting opportunity just inside the area for Marcus Browne, whose left footed volley went just wide of the post with 78 minutes gone.

This would be the last good chance of the game as Wealdstone managed to see out the final ten minutes comfortably, picking up a second clean sheet in two games against League One opposition.

The Stones will complete their pre-season programme on Saturday with a visit to Arbour Park to face Slough Town.