REPORT | WEALDSTONE 1-1 MAIDENHEAD UNITED

Wealdstone came from behind against Maidenhead United to draw 1-1 and secure a vital point towards their fight for survival, at Grosvenor Vale.

An early goal from Brendan Kiernan for the Magpies was cancelled out by a strike from Kallum Cesay, ensuring that the spoils were shared between the relegation strugglers.

Neil Gibson made four changes to the side that were defeated by Boston United on Good Friday, with Connor McAvoy, Mustapha Carayol, Josh Grant and Harrison Sohna returning to the starting line-up for the Stones.

The Stones made the worst possible start, conceding in just the fourth minute of the match as Kane Ferdinand cut the ball back to the edge of the six-yard box for Kiernan to slot home under Dante Baptiste.

Eager to score a quick equaliser, Wealdstone galvanised a chance in the 16th minute, with Alex Reid narrowly firing over the crossbar from distance.

Four minutes later, the Magpies nearly doubled their lead, but Josh Grant halted Shaun McCoulsky with a fantastic last ditch tackle; then, Baptiste produced a superb point-blank save to deny Reece Smith.

In the 34th minute, the Stones generated a moment of incisiveness through Carayol, surging down the right flank and drilling a dangerous ball across the face of the goal that just evaded the oncoming Reid.

Gibson’s side were rewarded for their perseverance and were back on level terms with Maidenhead United in the 39th minute, with Cesay’s shot deflecting in off of the crossbar from close range, to restore parity.

A minute before the stroke of half-time, the Magpies had the opportunity to edge ahead, however Baptiste reacted with another excellent save to deny McCoulsky from an acute angle, ensuring his team went into the interval all square.

The Stones were fortunate not to go behind six minutes after the restart, as the visitors seized possession in midfield and McCoulsky broke away for a one-on-one with Baptiste, but the Stones shot-stopper produced another fantastic save.

As the second-half progressed, Wealdstone gathered added impetus and were agonisingly close to taking the lead in the 61st minute, with Enzio Boldewijn forcing a fine reflex save from former Stone, Sam Howes.

The Stones continued to probe for a second goal and were nearly fruitful in the 69th minute as Will Randall burst through the midfield and fed Reid, but the top scorer could only fire wide from a tight angle.

Six minutes later, Baptiste’s excellent distribution released Reid through on goal, with only a vital block from Remy Clerima thwarting the talisman.

As the match entered the remaining five minutes, Reid nearly provided a moment-of-magic with an acrobatic effort that flew over the crossbar.

Despite six additional minutes, Gibson’s side were unable to rally and find a late winner, with the points shared between the relegation battlers.

The Stones return to action on Saturday 26th April when they travel to Roots Hall Football Stadium to face Southend United, in a 5.30pm kick-off.

Wealdstone: Baptiste, Woodman, Dyer (Mariappa 85), Boldewijn, Carayol, Randall (Hutchinson 70), Cesay, Reid, McAvoy, Grant, Sohna (Kretzschmar 70).

Subs: Gunter, Sekyere, Scott, Omole

Attendance: 1975