REPORT: Wealdstone 1-1 Boston Utd

Wealdstone returned to The Vale on Tuesday night to face fellow mid-table side, Boston Utd, in a match that had little riding on it for either team.

Gary Waddock made seven changes to the side that were defeated late on by Rochdale on Saturday as he looked to freshen up a squad that had covered a huge amount of ground against the title challengers. This included a last-minute change that saw Michael Adu-Poku come in for Dominic Hutchinson who picked up an injury in the warm-up.

It would be the visitors who shaded the opening minutes as The Stones looked tentative early on and Boston Utd thought they had taken the lead in just the second minute. 

A free-kick on the left wing was swung into the Wealdstone box and met on the volley by Matty Carson. The ball hit the back of the net only for the linesman’s flag to be raised for offside, giving The Stones an early reprieve.

The Pilgrims continued to have the better of the early stages as they managed to force a series of corners. The most dangerous of which nearly crept in at the near post.

The much-changed Stones gradually grew into the match over the next twenty minutes as the game became more of a midfield battle, but they struggled to create any chances themselves.

It was Boston United who threatened again in the 38^th minute from another in-swinging corner, right on top of the Wealdstone goal.

The ball rebounded off the bar out to the edge of the area where it was stuck well by Oisin Gallagher, forcing Baptiste into an impressive save.

The Stones eventually created a chance of note just before half-time. Tyrell Agyemang surged into the box after some good build up play and fired an effort off the post.

HALF-TIME: Wealdstone 0-0 Boston Utd

Despite the lack of threat from Wealdstone in the first half, the manager stuck with the same 11 for the beginning of the second and little changed in the pattern of the game.

Boston Utd came close first after the restart as Wealdstone struggled to clear a cross from the left-hand side. 

Tom Cursons eventually managed to get a shot away through a crowd of bodies which drew a sharp save from Dante Baptise.

Wealdstone went up the other end on the hour mark. Michael Adu-Poku burst past his marker before playing a dangerous ball across the face of goal.  The ball missed everyone before reaching Anthony Georgiou whose effort was only parried Cameron. This sparked a goalmouth scramble before the goalkeeper eventually came away with the ball.

However, it would be the pilgrims that opened the scoring 6 minutes later, as Lennell John-Lewis faked to cross before chopping onto his other foot inside the penalty box to draw a foul from Charlie Waller. 

Jacob Hazel stepped up and converted from the spot. A good penalty into the bottom right corner, out of Dante Baptiste’s reach who had dived the right way.

It looked as though that was how the game was going to finish as The Stones had the larger share of possession in the second half but continued to struggle in creating any openings. 

Despite this, Gary Waddock seemed determined to get as many minutes into the selected players as possible. No players were introduced from a strong Wealdstone bench until the 79^th minute.

The Stones were restricted to shots from outside the box. Firstly, from Anthony Georgiou who picked up a loose ball on the edge of the area before sending an effort over the bar before Sean Adarkwa followed suit after cutting onto his right foot.

The Boston Utd defence would eventually be breached as the game went into the final minute of injury time and produced a late twist.

Dante Baptiste sent a goal-kick deep into the opposing half towards Sean Adarkwa who flicked it onto Fela Olomola. The striker’s shot from the edge of the box took a deflection and curled into the top right corner to give The Stones a dramatic equaliser. 

FULL-TIME: Wealdstone 1-1 Boston Utd

Wealdstone picked up a point for their perseverance and will return to The Vale on Saturday to face Scunthorpe in their final home match of the season. CLICK HERE for tickets!

Wealdstone: Baptiste, Cook, Georgiou, Boldewijn, Olomola, Adu-Poku (Kadji 88'), Nathaniel-George, Agyemang, Wells-Morrison (Tiensia 79'), Adarkwa, Waller

Attendance: 1402