REPORT | WEALDSTONE 1-1 FOREST GREEN ROVERS

Wealdstone produced a tremendous performance to come from behind and share the spoils with table toppers Forest Green Rovers at Grosvenor Vale.

A first-half goal from Isaac Moore had put the Rovers ahead, but this was cancelled out by Micah Obiero in the second-half, as the playoff contenders held Robbie Savage’s men to a draw.

Sam Cox made two changes to the side that drew with Hartlepool United last week, as Dylan Kadji and Eddy Nsasi were named in the starting line-up.

The Stones were quick out of the traps, nearly scoring within two minutes of kick-off when Obiero latched onto a long through ball from Nathan Tshikuna, cut inside, and flashed a shot just wide of the far post.

Five minutes later, it was the Rovers’ turn to come close to netting, as Kyle McAllister flicked the ball on to Harry Whitwell, who fired on target, but Stones’ skipper Jack Cook was well-positioned to clear the danger for the hosts.

The Rovers continued in the ascendancy, and Thomas Knowles drilled a low ball across the face of the goal, which Dante Baptiste spilled, but the in form shot-stopper recovered quickly to smother the ball before Temi Babalola could capitalise.

The league leaders duly broke the deadlock in the 25^th minute when Jili Buyabu whipped in a teasing cross that Moore headed home in style past Baptiste to send the visitors into the lead.

Wealdstone began to find some fluency and Dom Hutchinson surged down the left wing and fired a dangerous cross into the six-yard box in the 30^th minute, but there was not an onrushing attacker to convert.

Cox’s side returned from the interval on the front-foot and had a chance to equalise when a deflected cross fell to Obiero, but the striker was only able to direct his header over the crossbar.

Three minutes later, down the opposing end, the Rovers could have doubled their advantage through Whitwell, who drove into the box and shot; however, Eddy Nsasi produced a vital block to preserve the scoreline.

In the 61^st minute, the Stones deservedly drew level through their top scorer Obiero, who bundled home Hutchinson’s inviting cross to restore parity.

On the 72^nd minute mark, substitute Aidan Dausch nearly had an immediate impact for the visitors, rifling a low shot on target that was smartly stopped by Baptiste.

As the match entered the final ten minutes, Forest Green pressed for a winner, with Whitwell flicking an effort towards goal that was well-saved by Baptiste.

The Rovers should have stolen all three points at the death as McAllister released Dausch for a one-on-one with Baptiste, but Wealdstone’s custodian produced a massive save to deny the striker.

Seconds later, substitute Daniel Nkrumah could have struck a dramatic winner for the Stones when he surged forward and shot from a tight angle, but former Stone Harry Isted saved to ensure the points were shared.

Wealdstone return to action on Tuesday 25^th November when they entertain West Bromwich Albion U21s in the National League Cup, in a 7pm kick-off.

Wealdstone: Baptiste, Nsasi, Cook, McAvoy, Hutchinson, Agyemang, Kadji (Mussa 70), Boldewijn, Olomola (Nkrumah 65), Obiero, Tshikuna.

Subs not used: Graczyk, Diarra, Petrie, Tiensia, Turner.

Attendance: 1,560

Report by Nicole Cho-Yee