REPORT | WEALDSTONE 2-1 SLOUGH TOWN

Wealdstone head into the National League season with a win at Grosvenor Vale against Slough Town.

Woodman headed the Stones into the lead before a debut goal from Nathan Tshikuna doubled the advantage.

The visitors attempted a late comeback when Jaiden Drakes-Thomas scored from his own half with just four minutes left.

Sam Cox made three changes to the side that beat QPR U21’s 6-2 in midweek. New signings Connor McAvoy and Tshikuna came straight into the starting XI.

The visitors looked to instantly take the game to the Stones. Jordan Greenidge picked up the ball on the edge of the area, but wasn’t able to keep his rifled effort below the bar.

Having signed on the day, Tshikuna looked to instantly show his worth to the Stones support. 6 minutes in, the attacking midfielder cut inside to shoot, only finding the thankful arms of Adam Desbois in the Slough Town goal.

Cox’s side continued to ramp up the pressure. Micah Obiero’s effort looked destined to ripple the net, ten minutes in, had it not been for a last-ditch block from a Slough defender. The visitors looked to set and counter, only for Woodman to head in from the resulting corner to give his side the lead.

Anthony Georgiou, returning from injury, looked dangerous all game down the left flank. In typical fashion, the powerful full-back drove at the right-sided Slough defender and flashed one narrowly wide of Desbois’ goal.

Beating the offside trap Adarkwa raced through on goal, 20 minutes in. With just the keeper to beat, an impressive save from Desbois kept the Stones just one goal ahead.

But the Stones pressure would pay off just minutes later. A sumptous reverse ball from Georgiou found Tshikuna unmarked, who finished calmly for a debut goal.

The visitors came out of the break looking recharged and ready to take the game to the Stones. Jared Myers came sloe to pulling one back, only to be denied by a smart save from Dante Baptiste.

Trialist A looked to get himself in on the action, shooting early from a loose pass, 40 yards out, but only into the hands of Desbois.

60 minutes in, a flurry of chances fell the way of Tshikuna, Enzio Boldewijn and Trialist A, with the ball incredibly staying out and fizzing narrowly wide for a goal-kick.

Slough looked to mount a comeback in the 86th minute when Drakes-Thomas caught out Trialist keeper, lobbing him from his own half to pull one back late on.

Trialist E looked looked to kill the visitors attempts, winning a penalty in the 90th minute, but firing his spot-kick wide.

Avoiding a late scare, the Stones came away with the win in their final pre-season fixture. Next up for the Stones, the beginning of the 2025/26 National League campaign, at home against Truro City on Saturday 9th August.

WEALDSTONE XI: Baptiste (Trialist B 61'), Cook, Woodman (Trialist D 78'), McAvoy (Tiensia 34'), Boldewijn (Trialist F 78'), Kadji (Trialist E 78'), Mussa, Georgiou (Hutchinson 61'), Tshikuna (Hassan 70'), Obiero (Trialist C 71'), Adarkwa (Trialist A 45').