REPORT | WEALDSTONE 2-2 GATESHEAD

Wealdstone shared the spoils with Gateshead, drawing 2-2 at Grosvenor Vale to earn a vital point and reside in ninth position in the league.

Dom Hutchinson put Sam Cox’s men into an early lead, before a brace from Kain Adom edged Alun Armstrong’s side ahead, with Max Kretzschmar scoring late on to ensure the points were shared.

The Stones made the perfect start, taking the lead within four minutes of kick-off when Hutchinson charged down George Shelvey’s clearance to give the hosts an early lead.

Gateshead’s first chance then came in the 16th minute through a quick counterattack putting Kain Adom through on goal, but the industrious Alfie Massey producing an excellent tackle to thwart the striker.

The Heed had a golden opportunity to equalise in the 23rdminute as Adom latched onto Harrison Chapman’s through ball, however Dante Baptiste reacted with a solid save to deny the front-man.

Down the opposing end, the Stones tested Shelvey, with Micah Obiero forcing a fine save from the shot-stopper in the 31st minute, before the linesman flagged for offside.

Armstrong’s side then came agonisingly close to drawing level in the 34th minute with a strike from Kyle Hurst destined for the back of the net, but skipper Enzio Boldewijn produced a last-ditch interception to preserve the scoreline.

This close shave was a catalyst for the Stones, as two minutes later, Anthony Georgiou’s long-range effort had to be deflected wide; followed by Boldewijn heading over the crossbar at the far post from the resultant corner.

Wealdstone continued to press for a second goal and they were nearly fruitful in the 40th minute with the ball falling to the goalscorer Hutchinson inside the six-yard box, but his shot was denied by Shelvey’s point-blank save.

As Cox’s men looked to be taking a slender lead into the interval, Adom’s stoppage time strike ensured it was all square at half-time.

The Heed returned from the break high in confidence, mounting a dangerous counterattack in the 50th minute that finished with Hurst blazing an effort over the crossbar.

Moments later, Wealdstone nearly edged ahead as Sean Adarkwa pounced on Hutchinson’s inviting cross, firing just wide of the near post.

The Stones continued to push for a second, and Massey looked like providing the moment of magic as he beat four Heed defenders and curled a shot towards the far corner that was well-saved by Shelvey.

It was then the visitors turn to have a flurry of chances, with Phillip Chinedu making a firm block to prevent Hurst from netting, followed by Adom firing Hurst’s cutback over the bar.

Rejuvenated by a string of substitutions, the Stones looked like they had forged ahead in the 68th minute as Nathan Tshikuna cut inside and whipped a shot towards the top corner, which whistled inches wide of the post.

With 11 minutes remaining, the Heed took the lead with Adom profiting from a defensive mix-up between Georgiou and Baptiste to convert home into an empty net.

Late drama ensued, as two minutes before the stroke of regulation time, the Stones deservedly drew level – Tshikuna pummelled a long-distance strike which was superbly tipped onto the crossbar by Shelvey and substitute Kretzschmar fired home in style from an acute angel to salvage a vital point.

A minute into added time, Nathan Young-Coombes looked like he had sealed all three points at the death with a bullet header, but the substitute was agonisingly denied by the crossbar.

Wealdstone return to action on Tuesday evening when they entertain Leicester City U21s in at Grosvenor Vale in the National League Cup, in a 7pm kick-off.

Wealdstone: Baptiste, Boldewijn, Woodman, Chinedu, Hutchinson (Hassan), Kadji (Mussa 46), Massey, Georgiou, Obiero (Kretzschmar 62), Tshikuna, Adarkwa (Young-Coombes 62) (Diarra 90+6)).

Subs not used: Covolan, Tiensia.

Attendance: 1109