Report – Wealdstone 1 - 1 Aldershot Town

The ‘Stones’ and the  ‘Shots’ played out a high-octane 1-1 draw in the Grosvenor Vale heat on Saturday afternoon in front of a crowd of 251.  Aldershot took the lead midway through the second half when one of their trialists struck a low effort past Jonathan North with the Stones equaliser coming from Bradley Hudson-Odoi  who got on the end of a David Pratt cross to poke the ball beyond Jake Cole.

North was much the busier of the keepers in the first half, tipping wide an effort from Aldershot’s mystery trialist, who dictated the tempo for a lot of their play as he looks for a contract with the National League promotion hopefuls.

The Wealdstone keeper had to be alert moments later when he twice denied Regan Booty, first from a free kick and then a shot from the resulting corner.

Shots’ experienced striker Scott Rendell then went close when he fizzed a shot across the face of goal after he was played in by Jake Gallagher.

Despite Aldershot’s dominance the Stones almost took the lead through Danny Green but Jake Cole was out quick to thwart the midfielder who just couldn’t release the ball from his feet quick enough.

The Shots then went close again through Booty and twice through Luke Wanadio with North getting a strong hand on his second effort to keep the scores level.

The best chance of the half then fell to Green, Bradley Bubb picked him out in acres of space inside the penalty area but he smashed his effort well over the bar.

After a wealth of changes from both sides it was the visitors who took the lead when their midfield trialist curved a low effort past North from the edge of the area.

The introduction of Pratt boosted the Stones’ attacking threat and he created the equaliser when he beat his man and crossed superbly for Hudson-Odoi at the far post who then poked the ball past Cole.

Stefan Brown almost put the Stones ahead after he got on the end of a Jake Sheppard cross, he headed the ball into the ground and Cole did well to tip it over.

Pratt glanced a header wide from the resulting corner and the Shots went close late on through subs Matt McClure and Shamir Fenelon but the score remained level.

We are back in action on Tuesday evening when we visit Staines Town, kick-off 19:45. Then we have a special ‘Meet the Team’ Family Day for the visit of Bromley on Saturday, at Grosvenor Vale starting at 12.30. 

WEALDSTONE: North, Tyler (Sheppard 55), Grant (Mambo 60), Stevens, Okimo, Poku, Green (Lench 55), Ahmidi (Clark 71), Brown (Monakana 80), Bubb (Pratt 55), Hudson-Odoi.  Subs not used: Wilson, Thomas.

By Chris Woods