REPORT | WEALDSTONE 3-1 HALIFAX TOWN

Wealdstone pulled off another incredible great escape on the last day of the season to ensure National League status for the 2025/2026 campaign. 

Knowing that only victory over play-off contenders FC Halifax Town, along with Solihull

Moors drawing or beating Dagenham & Redbridge would be enough, the Stones successfully accomplished their side of the bargain, with former Stone Manny Duku doing the rest.

First-half goals from Jack Cook, Kallum Cesay and Mustapha Carayol secured a vital three points for the Stones, making sure they dramatically avoided relegation again for the second season running; while, Luca Thomas’ stunning strike proved only consolatory for the Shaymen.

Neil Gibson made three changes to the side that were defeated by Southend United in the Stones’ last outing, with Jack Cook, Alex Dyer and Dom Hutchinson returning to the starting line-up.

Wealdstone made the perfect start, with Cook guiding an inch-perfect header from Max

Kretzschmar’s corner past Toby Savin, in just the fourth minute of play, to put the Stones into an early lead.

Gibson’s side continued to dominate the early exchanges, and came close to scoring again in the 14th minute when Enzio Boldewijn drilled a teasing ball across the face of the goal, which just evaded his teammates.

The Stones did not have to wait long to settle the nerves of the bumper crowd further, with Cesay converting home past Savin from close range three minutes later, to double their advantage.

By the 25th minute, Wealdstone were in cruise control, as Carayol rifled an effort from range past Savin to treble his side’s lead.

Goalscorer Carayol had another bite of the cherry with a long-distance strike in the 34th minute, rifling an effort just over the crossbar.

The hosts could have notched another goal before half-time, with Alex Dyer teeing up Kretzschmar to slot home into the far corner, but Adam Senior produced a crucial goal-line clearance to preserve the scoreline.

The Shaymen rolled the dice with four second-half substitutes as they searched for a way back into the contest.

In the 56th minute, the visitors did duly reduce the deficit with a moment of magic from Thomas, spotting Dante Baptiste off of his line and sublimely lobbing the shot-stopper from inside his own half.

FC Halifax Town nearly pulled another goal back in the 63rd minute when Tom Pugh capitalised on a poor clearance to fire towards the bottom corner, but Baptiste responded with a solid save.

As the second-half progressed, the Shaymen grew into the game and they looked like they had reduced Wealdstone’s lead further in the 68th minute, but Baptiste produced a superb finger-tip save to deny Senior’s headed effort.

The visitors had another sight of goal in the 88th minute when substitute Jamie Cooke curled a free-kick goal-bound from a dangerous position; however, Cook was well-positioned to head the ball clear.

The Stones held firm for a memorable win, ensuring they remain in the fifth tier of English football for another season.

WEALDSTONE: Baptiste, Cook, Dyer (Eastmond 69), Boldewijn, Kretzschmar, Carayol (Obiero 51), Hutchinson (Sohna 78), Mariappa, Cesay, Reid, Grant.

SUBS: Woodman, Scott, Omole, Gunter.

ATTENDANCE: 2,843