REPORT | WEALDSTONE 1-1 ALTRINCHAM

Wealdstone and Altrincham shared the spoils at Grosvenor Vale, playing out a 1-1 draw in blustery conditions.

The point moved the Stones up to tenth in the National League table and just three points off of the playoffs.

Sam Cox made one change to the side that beat Brackley Town in style on Wednesday evening, with Olufela Olomola replacing Sean Adarkwa in the starting line-up.

An early goal from Connor McAvoy propelled the Stones ahead, with James Gale equalising for the visitors just before half-time.

Wealdstone made the perfect start, taking the lead after just five minutes when Anthony Georgiou curled in a teasing delivery that McAvoy guided over Luke Hutchinson with an excellent looping header.

The Stones continued in the ascendancy and came close to doubling their advantage ten minutes later when the ball fell to Micah Obiero from Junior Tiensia’s long throw, but the striker could only flash his shot narrowly wide.

Cox’s men side had another opportunity to bolster their lead in the 18^th minute as Dylan Kadji was released for a one-on-one with Hutchinson; however Dan Sassi produced a vital tackle to thwart the danger.

As the first-half progressed, the Robins edged their way back into the contest with Tom Crawford’s pinpoint ball finding Lewis Banks at the far post on the half-hour mark, but the defender was unable to capitalise.

Moments later, the visitors attacked with intent again, with Tyler Golden firing a fierce shot from a tight angle that had to be blocked by Tiensia.

Just before the interval, the Stones had another chance to solidify their lead, but Olufela Olomola’s shot from the edge of the box was charged down by Sassi.

Wealdstone were left to rue the miss, as two minutes later, Parkinson’s men grabbed an equaliser - Jimmy Knowles’ strike was parried by Dante Baptiste, and Gale pounced in the six-yard box to finish and level proceedings.

The Stones returned from the break with added impetus as they looked to bounce back after conceding, with Nathan Tshikuna forging space after a quick counterattack, but Baines was on hand to block the shot.

In the 55^th minute, the Robins could have edged ahead when Sam Reed teed-up Gale, however the goalscorer’s strike was straight at Baptiste.

Baptiste then pulled off another solid save in the 69^th minute to deny Isaac Marriott from scoring from just inside the box. 

The Robins continued to press for a second goal and without Boldewijn producing a goal-saving challenge in the 76^th minute; Waters would have had an easy tap-in.

Altrincham crafted another change in the 83^rd minute, with Knowles dragging his shot wide of the far post.

One minute shy of the 90 minutes, Obiero came agonisingly close to netting the winner, rifling a shot just over the crossbar from the edge of the area.

The Stones could have sealed all three points at the death as Hutchinson whipped in a dangerous ball to the far post that substitute Nathan Young-Coombes was just unable to convert.

Wealdstone return to action next Saturday 11^th October when they entertain Whitstable Town at Grosvenor Vale in the Fourth Round Qualifying of the Emirates FA Cup, in a 3pm kick-off. Please note that this will be an ALL PAY fixture as season tickets are not valid for FA Cup matches.

Wealdstone: Baptiste, McAvoy (Hutchinson 59), Woodman, Chinedu (Hassan 86), Boldewijn, Kadji (Mussa 65), Georgiou, Tiensia, Tshikuna (Young-Coombes 84), Obiero, Olomola (Adarkwa 59).

Subs not used: Covolan, Cook.