REPORT | WEALDSTONE 0-0 EASTLEIGH

Wealdstone shared the spoils with Eastleigh after playing out a goalless draw at Grosvenor Vale.

The Stones secured a valuable point and a clean sheet to add to the point earned away against Tamworth midweek.

Sam Cox made three changes to the side, with Dom Hutchinson, Dylan Kadji and Olufela Olomola named in the starting line-up.

The Spitfires started brightly as Paul McCallum’s long throw found Aaron Blair, with the winger firing just wide of the target in the 7th minute.

Moments later, it was McCallum’s turn to nearly snatch an early lead, poking his effort narrowly past the post from Sonnie Davis’ excellent delivery.

On the 11th minute mark, it was the Stones’ turn to come close to forging ahead, with Micah Obiero’s goal-bound shot emphatically blocked by Aaron Pierre.

Wealdstone remained on the front-foot with new signing Olufela Olomola carving out space, but firing straight at Nick Townsend in the 19th minute.

Cox’s team crafted another opportunity in the 22nd minute as Junior Tiensia cut inside and curled a shot just over the crossbar.

The latter stages of the first-half continued in a cagey manner; despite the visitors earning a succession of corners, they were unable to break the deadlock.

In the 51st minute, the Spitfires were reduced to ten-men when Pierre scythed down Olomola as he was released through on goal by Nathan Tshikuna, with the referee producing a straight red.

From the resultant free-kick, Tshikuna unleashed a fierce strike that drew a solid save from Townsend to preserve the scoreline.

In spite of the Stones’ numerical advantage, they failed to trouble Eastleigh, or galvanise any clear-cut chances.

However, as the match entered the final five minutes, Wealdstone threw caution to wind as they looked to grab a last-minute goal; with substitute Sak Hassan causing problems for Archie Harris down the right wing.

With one minute of regulation time remaining, Lloyd Humphries looked like he was going to net the winner for the Spitfires, but Enzio Boldewijn reacted with a crucial block to deny the substitute.

The Stones then had the chance to steal all three points at the death when Hassan whipped in a dangerous ball across the face of the goal, however Obiero could only direct his headeragonisingly wide.

Wealdstone return to action on Wednesday evening when they travel to St. James Park to face Brackley Town, in a 7.45pm kick-off.

Wealdstone: Baptiste, Boldewijn, Woodman, Chinedu, Hutchinson (Hassan 70), Kadji (Mussa 70), Georgiou, Tiensia, Tshikuna (Adarkwa 82), Olomola (Kretzschmar 56) Obiero.

Subs not used: Covolan, Diarra, McAvoy.