REPORT | WEALDSTONE 3-2 SOUTHEND UNITED

Wealdstone edged high-flying Southend United 3-2 in a pulsating encounter at Grosvenor Vale, propelling the Stonesto sixth position in the National League.

Sam Cox’s side ended the Shrimpers’ unbeaten start to the season with a first-half goal from Enzio Boldewijn and second-half brace from Sean Adarkwa cancelling out strikes from Slavi Spasov and Gus Scott-Morris.

The Stones started brightly and galvanised the first chance of the match in the 8th minute of play, with Daniel Nkrumah, making his league debut for the Stones, firing a finesse shot from range just wide of the near post.

Two minutes later, the Shrimpers caught a sight of goal, as Oliver Coker drove forward and unleashed a fierce driven strike that was well-held by Dante Baptiste.

The Stones continued to push for an opener and Nathan Tshikuna nearly delivered in the 12th minute, firing a powerful effort narrowly wide of the post.

Down the opposing end, the visitors came close to netting in the 14th minute, but captain Jack Cook produced a vital goal-line clearance to deny Spasov, before Harry Boyes blazed the rebound over the crossbar.

Wealdstone’s positive and incisive play generated another goal-scoring opportunity, with the lively Tshikuna firing just over the crossbar from distance in the 19th minute.

Cox’s side’s relentless pressure prevailed and the Stones duly broke the deadlock in the 21st minute, with Colin Andeng-Ndi spilling a cross into the path of Boldewijn, who clinically fired home from close range to notch his second goal of the campaign.

Four minutes later, the Stones were unfortunate not to double their lead, with Anthony Georgiou’s curled free-kick from the edge of the box drawing a fine save from Andeng-Ndi.

However, the Shrimpers were back on level terms in the 32ndminute, mounting a quick counterattack after intercepting a loose pass from Cook, Spasov’s finish from 18-yards escapedthe palms of Baptiste.

The teams returned from the interval all square and the visitors nearly forged ahead within five minutes of the restart, with Coker’s powerful strike forcing a solid save from Baptiste.

In the 63rd minute, drama ensued as the Stones were awarded a penalty with Adarkwa stepping up and coolly firing past Andeng-Ndi to send his team into the lead.

Bolstered by the goal, Adarkwa extended Wealdstone’s advantage further in the 70th minute, tapping-in Nkrumah’s pinpoint lay-off to secure a two-goal cushion.

The Shrimpers rallied to reduce the deficit, with Boyes’ strike in the 77th minute parried to safety by Baptiste to preserve the scoreline.

After mounting pressure, the visitors pulled a goal back in the84th minute, as Scott-Morris converted his free-kick past Baptiste to set-up a thrilling finale.

With 12 minutes additional time added, Southend United attacked with urgency as they looked to salvage a point, but Baptiste produced an outstanding save to thwart substitute Keenan Appiah-Forson’s drilled effort.

Deep into stoppage time, substitute Leon Chambers-Parillon twice tested Baptiste with strikes from range, but the Stones’ shot-stopper responded with two crucial saves to seal all three points for his side.

Wealdstone return to action on Saturday afternoon when they travel to Glanford Park to face Scunthorpe United, in a 3pm kick-off.

Wealdstone: Baptiste, Cook, Woodman, Chinedu, Boldewijn(Diarra 88), Kadji (Tiensia 98), Massey, Georgiou(Hutchinson 88), Nkrumah (Obiero 79), Adarkwa (Mussa 98), Tshikuna.

Subs not used: Covolan, Hassan.

ATTENDANCE: 2,309