Report: Wealdstone 6-0 Stoke City U21s
Wealdstone put in a dominant performance to outclass Stoke City U21s in the National League Cup on Tuesday night, with goals from Olufela Olomola, Amaru Kaunda and a hat-trick from Wilson Waweru sealing their first win of this season’s group stage.
The Stones started positively and created the first chance of the match in the eighth minute after Joe Newton burst down the right flank. He delivered a low cross that was just beyond the reach of Olufela Olomola. Wilson Waweru managed to get a touch to the ball but could only find the side-netting.
Wealdstone continued to put pressure on the Stoke City goal. After some adventurous play by the returning Jack Cook, Olomola was picked out by a Dylan Kadji cross before his header was well blocked by a Potters defender.
Olomola had two further chances to score just after the 20-minute mark, firstly with a headed effort that just went wide of the far post after a Joe Newton cross. The wing-back was again the provider just two minutes later, but the striker’s shot was well saved by the City goalkeeper.
The Stones scored a well-deserved opening goal in the 28th minute. Another great cross by Joe Newton found Wilson Waweru who controlled the ball with his chest before striking a well-hit volley that went in off the underside of the crossbar.
Arron Henry almost extended the lead just five minutes later, but his toe-poked effort went just wide of the post after Joe Newton was involved again in the build-up.
HALF-TIME: Wealdstone 1-0 Stoke City U21s
Wealdstone doubled their lead four minutes into the second half. Wilson Waweru raced onto a ball over the top of the Stoke City defence, nudged the ball past the goalkeeper and slotted into an empty net.
Waweru then turned provider on the hour mark as the Stones went three goals ahead. He again raced away from the Stoke City defence before squaring the ball to Amaru Kaunda and the academy player passed the ball into the back of the net with his first touch.
The hosts were now firmly on top and scored a fourth goal six minutes later. Jack Cook showed a burst of pace to beat his man before threading a ball through to Olufela Olomola who produced a confident finish.
A tough evening for The Potters was made even more difficult after they were reduced to 10 men in the 67th minute. George Morrison made a rash, studs-up challenge on Aidan Francis-Clarke, resulting in a second booking.
The Stones quickly capitalised with their fifth goal of the match. A Dan Chesters cross was knocked down into the path of Waweru who converted with a half-volley to complete his hat-trick.
The demolition job was completed in the 79th minute. The Potters failed to clear a Dan Chesters cross which fell into the path of Amaru Kaunda and the youngster scored his second goal of the game.
Wealdstone return to action on Saturday as they travel to Boston United in the Enterprise National League.
FULL TIME: Wealdstone 6-0 Stoke City U21s
Wealdstone: Johnson, Cook ©, J.Newton, Kadji, Olomola, Chesters, Henry, Waweru, Mundle-Smith, Fernandez, T.Newton
Subs: Burrows, Harris, Francis-Clarke, Lee, Atem, Kaunda
