REPORT | WEALDSTONE 4-2 SUTTON UTD

Wealdstone produced a scintillating second-half comeback to defeat Sutton United 4-2 at Grosvenor Vale and end their five-match unbeaten run.

Sam Cox made seven changes to the side that lost to Nottingham Forest U21s midweek in the National League Cup. Dante Baptiste, Philip Chinedu, Anthony Georgiou, Omar Mussa, Micah Obiero, Junior Tiensia, and Deon Woodman returned to the starting line-up for the Stones.

Early strikes from Lewis Simper and Kai Jennings had put the bottom of the table side into a commanding lead, but goals from Micah Obiero, Sak Hassan, Connor McAvoy and Anthony Georgiou, sealed all three points for Wealdstone.

The Stones were quick out of the traps; with skipper Max Kretzschmar’s volley forcing a goal line clearance from Harry Phipps in the opening minute of the match.

A minute later, former Stone Lewis Simper unleashed a dangerous strike from range that drew an excellent save from Baptiste.

Against the run of play, the U’s were nearly presented with an opener when Georgiou’s misplaced back pass was pounced on by Ashley Nadesan, but Baptiste produced another brilliant save.

In the 16^th minute, the visitors took the lead, profiting from Georgiou’s attempted clearance, which was charged down by Simper and rebounded past Baptiste into the net.

The U’s then doubled their advantage on the 25^th minute mark, as goalscorer Simper teed-up Jennings, who drilled the ball past Baptiste for a goal on his debut.

Wealdstone continued to struggle to deal with Sutton United’s energy and high press, as the league strugglers dominated the early stages.

The Stones were handed a boost in the 32^nd minute when Obiero was released through on goal by substitute Sak Hassan, and the top scorer prodded the ball home past Tommy Reid to reduce the deficit.

Chris Agutter’s side had the opportunity to bag another goal before half-time through a quick counter attack in the 38^th minute, but Jayden Harris’ powerful effort stung the palms of Baptiste.

Cox’s side returned from the interval with added impetus and duly drew level in the 53^rd minute as Chinedu whipped a teasing cross towards the far post, which the lively Hassan volleyed fantastically first-time past Reid into the roof of the net.

Bolstered by the goal, the Stones completed their comeback in the 63^rd minute as Hassan’s dangerous corner was glanced home by McAvoy.

Wealdstone’s lead was nearly short-lived in the 70^th minute as substitute Brandon Njoku’s effort was deflected onto the underside of the crossbar, but Baptiste was quick to gather the ball before it crossed the line.

Two minutes later, down the opposing end, Hassan was close to scoring a wonder goal as he weaved past the U’s defence in style, but Junior Eccleston reacted with a crucial last-ditch tackle to deny the winger.

With three minutes of regulation time remaining, Sutton United pushed for a late equaliser, prompting Baptiste to produce a solid low stop to thwart Njoku.

The Stones also looked for another decisive goal with Tshikuna and Obiero forcing Reid into a vital double save to preserve the scoreline.

The Stones then put the result beyond doubt in the 96th minute, with Georgiou clinically despatching a driven strike past Reid from outside of the area.

Wealdstone return to action next Saturday 1^st November when they entertain Southend United at Grosvenor Vale in the First Round of the FA Cup, in a 3pm kick-off.

Wealdstone: Baptiste, McAvoy, Woodman, Chinedu, Boldewijn, Mussa (Kadji 71), Georgiou, Tiensia (Hassan 14), Kretzschmar (Tshikuna 57), Obiero, Olomola (Hutchinson 57).

Subs not used: Graczyk, Diarra, Young-Coombes.

Attendance: 1,536