REPORT: Wealdstone 1-0 Hemel Hempstead Town

The Stones continued pre-season with a win against Hemel Hempstead and a confident performance on Saturday. 

The hosts opened positively, dominating possession and it wasn’t long before Wealdstone took the lead. Trialist C was on hand to convert a low cross from the right wing, finishing first time in the 6-yard box with just one minute on the clock.

The Stones continued to have success with their front footed approach. Trialist A bypassed multiple players to slide a low pass across the box that looked destined to find feet but was deflected for a Wealdstone corner. 

Hemel Hempstead seemed to grow frustrated with their early lack of possession, conceding a free kick on the edge of the 18-yard box in the 10^th minute. Aaron Henry lined up for the set piece, curled it towards the back post, and narrowly missed Olomola as well as a chance to double their lead. 

Hemel nearly equalised have equalised in the 20th minute, as Josh Steele received the ball in space and released a powerful strike which was perhaps slightly too venomous as it flew narrowly over the woodwork.

Wealdstone attempted several long balls over the top, attempting to utilise the pace on their forwards to score a second goal.

Mason Barrett delivered a well-measured ball over the Tudor defence which played Omolola in on goal. In an attempt to chip the keeper from close range, the ball was sent over the bar. 

Wealdstone continued to dictate the rhythm of play, with momentum down the left-hand side in particular.

However, they narrowly avoided conceding after giving up possession while attempting to pass across the backline. Fortunately for the Stones, a slight slip from the Hemel attacker allowed Trialist A to recover and reclaim the ball.

The Stones persisted with the tactic of going long over Hemel’s high backline, Baptiste found Olomola in the 34^th minute who was pulled to the ground by the centre half, winning the Stones a free kick just on the edge of the box. Aaron Henry lined up once more, unleashing a powerful strike that forced Johnson to tip it over the top.

With a few minutes remaining until the half-time whistle, Wealdstone thought they had increased their lead, as Olomola’s low ball into the box allowed Newton to convert from close range. However, it was disallowed for offside after Newton had strayed just beyond the last defender.

HALF-TIME: Wealdstone 1 - 0 Hemel Hempstead

Wealdstone opened the second half much like the first, looking to get on the front foot as quickly as possible. Olomola again got on the end of a long ball in the 49^th minute but lofted his effort over the bar. A more difficult angle to his effort in the first half.

Hemel responded by pressing higher than they did in the previous half, winning a free kick in a dangerous area. Williams lined up for the strike but sent it over the stands. 

As the second half progressed, possession and momentum were shared between sides, as the play consisted largely of a midfield battle with the number of substitutions disrupting the flow of the game.

Hemel seemed to benefit more from the changes and added energy energy, Trialist D travelled past a few Wealdstone players and got caught on the edge of the 18-yard box, winning a free kick with some calls for a penalty. 

Hemel’s Vilhete attempted to whip the ball back post, which was confidently blocked by the Wealdstone wall and seen out for a Wealdstone throw.

This would be the last real chance of the game with both teams lacking a degree of familiarity due to the number of changes and trialists and the Stones saw out a relatively comfortable second half to pick up their first win of pre-season. They will be back in action on Tuesday evening away to Chertsey Town before returning to the Vale on Saturday to host MK Dons.

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FULL-TIME: Wealdstone 1-0 Hemel Hempstead Town

Wealdstone: Baptiste, Olomola, McAvoy, Trialist A, Trialist B, Barrett, Kadji, Newton, Trialist C, Wells-Morrison, Henry

Substitutes: Obiero, Cook, Harris, Smith, Sekyere, Trialist D, Trialist E, Trialist F, Trialist G, Trialist H, Trialist I