REPORT | York City 2-3 Wealdstone

Wealdstone returned to winning ways in the league as the new management team registered their first league win with a solid victory on the road against York City at the LNER Community Stadium.

A first-half goal from Jack Cook, along with a brace from Max Kretzschmar completed an excellent comeback from the Stones, with Billy Chadwick scoring both goals for the Minstermen.

Manager David Noble made five changes to the side that were beaten midweek by Rochdale. Top goalscorer Sean Adarkwa returned from injury, while Mason Barrett, Alex Dyer, Sam Bowen and Max Kretzschmar all started for the Stones.

Wealdstone nearly galvanised an opportunity within the first three minutes of play when Adarkwa dispossessed Tyler Cordner and squared a dangerous ball across the box, but Danny Amos intercepted for the Minstermen.

In the 16th minute, the Stones produced their first real chance of the half when Kretzschmar played through Adarkwa with an inch-perfect pass, and the striker curled a low shot towards the bottom corner, but George Sykes-Kenworthy reacted with a smart save.

As the half progressed, end-to-end action ensued as both sides looked to open the scoring and take and early advantage.

In the 34th minute, the Minstermen nearly seized the initiative when Charlie Allen’s strike was tipped onto the post by Marcus Dewhurst; then moments later, the Stones’ shot-stopper denied Allen again with a solid save.

Two minutes later, Adam Hinshelwood’s men broke the deadlock as Chadwick latched onto a long ball from Sykes-Kenworthy and lofted the ball over Dewhurst into an empty net.

The home side’s lead was short-lived as the Stones equalised two minutes into stoppage time, as skipper Cook converted Bowen's teasing free-kick home past Sykes-Kenworthy to notch his 5th goal of the season.

Bolstered by the goal, Wealdstone returned from the interval with added impetus and doubled their lead within three minutes of the restart. Barrett’s powerful effort on goal was parried by York City’s goalkeeper into the path of Kretzschmar, who tapped into an empty net.

Six minutes later, the Stones were agonisingly close to netting their third goal when Tarryn Allarakhia’s rifled a fierce strike just wide of the post, from a tight angle.

However, Wealdstone did not have to wait long notch another goal, as man-of-the moment Kretzschmar latched onto Adarkwa’s flicked header to clinically fire home past Sykes-Kenworthy on the hour mark and seal his brace.

Against the run of play, the Minstermen nearly reduced the deficit as Dipo Akinyemi’s curling shot was palmed away by Dewhurst, before Amos blazed over the crossbar from close range.

With 20 minutes remaining, Noble’s men looked like they had extended their lead even further when Barrett’s long-range effort looped goal-bound following a deflection, but substitute Corie Andrews was unable to prod the ball home at the far post.

A minute later, Barrett was denied by the woodwork once again as his header from Sam Bowen’s corner rebounded off of the crossbar.

After a double substitution, York City began to edge themselves back into the contest, pulling back a goal in the 78th minute to trail by just one, with Chadwick slotting past Dewhurst from just outside the area.

Growing in confidence, the Minstermen nearly levelled in the 83rd minute when Chadwick unleashed a spectacular long-range effort that flew just over the crossbar.

The hosts continued to push for an equaliser, and three minutes from time, substitute Lenell John-Lewis rose highest to flick a header goal-bound, but Dewhurst reacted with a solid save to preserve the score line and seal three points for the Stones.

Wealdstone return to action this Tuesday 5th March when they travel to Roots Hall Football Stadium to face Southend United in a 7.45pm kick-off.

WEALDSTONE: Dewhurst, Barrett, Cook (c), Barker, Mundle-Smith, Dyer, Bowen, Ferguson, Kretzschmar (Henry 81), Allarakhia, Adarkwa (Andrews 64).

Subs not used: De Silva, Cesay, Mason.

Attendance: 4,592 (including 179 Wealdstone supporters)

Report by Nicole Cho-Yee