REPORT: Wealdstone 3-2 Tamworth

Wealdstone made it back-to-back wins with a thrilling comeback against Tamworth at The Vale to move up to 10^thposition in the league.

Stefan Mols put the visitors ahead and Dylan Kadji equalised; Benjamin Acquaye regained the lead for the Lambs and Sean Adarkwa levelled again; then, man-of-the-match Micah Obiero netted the winner for the Stones.

Gary Waddock made three changes from the side that comprehensively defeated Braintree Town on Saturday, with Adarkwa, Shay Spencer and Charlie Waller returning to the starting line-up.

The Lambs started the match brightly with a quick counterattack in the first minute; Acquaye burst down the left wing and unleashed a shot from the edge of the box that flew just wide of the far post.

Five minutes later, the visitors had another sight of goal with Teo Kurtaran curling a cross to the back post for Mols, whose header fell narrowly wide of the target.

The Stones galvanised their own opportunity in the 10^th minute when Dom Hutchinson surged down the right flank and fizzed a dangerous ball across the face of the goal that just evaded the onrushing Adarkwa.

Moments later, Thomas Tonks produced a vital challenge to deny danger-man Obiero a free shot from inside the penalty box.

Andy Peaks’ side took the lead on the 21^st minute mark with Mols pouncing on a melee in the box and powerfully heading home past Dante Baptiste.

Within eight minutes, the Stones were back on level terms in emphatic style as Kadji volleyed a superb left-foot strike past Jasbir Singh from the edge of the area.

However, Wealdstone’s parity did not last long as the Lambs retook the lead in the 35^th minute when Acquaye struck a fierce volley from the edge of the area that deflected past Baptiste into the top corner.

Despite falling behind, Waddock’s side were nearly back on level terms three minutes later when Connor McAvoy delivered a teasing cross into the box for Adarkwa, whose effort was smartly saved by Singh.

With two minutes of the first-half remaining, the Stones ensured they went into the interval level as Hutchinson surged down the wing and drove a cross to Adarkwa, who clinically despatched past Singh.

After an action-packed first-half, the Stones emerged from the break eager to forge ahead and were nearly fruitful immediately when Hutchinson delivered a threatening ball that just eluded Obiero.

Two minutes later, Obiero had a second bite of the cherry as he seized possession and sprinted past the Lambs’ defence for a one-on-one with Singh; slotting the ball past the Tamworth shot-stopper, but being agonisingly denied by the woodwork.

The Stones continued to pepper the visitors’ goal and looked like they would capitalise in the 54^th minute when Waller whipped a ball into Adarkwa; however, the striker’s header was straight at Singh. 

Kadji was next to come close for Wealdstone, firing a venomous strike from 25-yards out, but Singh was equal to his effort.

Moments later, after a fluid passage of play, Nathan Tshikuna fired a powerful shot from the edge of the box that flew just wide of the target.

The Stones were finally rewarded for their relentless pressure, duly taking the lead in the 68^th minute through top scorer Obiero, who pounced to convert home from close-range after Singh had spilt Adarkwa’s thunderous strike.

Despite the Lambs late endeavours to conjure an equaliser, Wealdstone held firm to secure another vital three points.

The Stones return to action on Saturday 14 March when they entertain Solihull Moors at The Vale, in a 12.30pm kick-off.

Wealdstone: Baptiste, McAvoy, Woodman, Waller (Boldewijn 73), Hutchinson, Kadji, Spencer, Tiensia, Obiero, Adarkwa (Olomola 88), Tshikuna (Agyemang 91).

Subs not used: Johnson, Georgiou, Adu-Poku, Hinchy, Dixon-Bonner.

Attendance: 1,032