Wealdstone Overcome The Daggers To Progress In Trophy | Match Report
- Nicole Cho-Yee
- 4 days ago
- 2 min read
Wealdstone produced a dominant display to emerge victorious over Dagenham & Redbridge and book their place into the last 16 of the Isuzu FA Trophy.
An 81st minute strike from talisman Micah Obiero proved decisive, as the Stones edged the Daggers at Grosvenor Vale.
Sam Cox made four changes to the side that were beaten by high-flying Carlisle United last week. New loanee, Dan Cox from Derby County, went straight into the starting line-up, alongside Anthony Georgiou, Dylan Kadji and Fela Olomola.
Wealdstone started the match on the front-foot, forcing former Stone, Sam Howes, into an excellent reflex save in just the second minute of play, preventing an own goal from defender Sam Graham.
The Stones continued to enjoy the lion’s share of possession throughout the early stages; however, they lacked cutting edge in the final third.
In the 26th minute, Wealdstone had an opportunity to break the deadlock when Olomola was played through on goal, but Graham produced a vital block to deny the striker.
Cox’s side were relentless in their quest for an opener and Georgiou nearly provided a moment of magic in the 32nd minute, rifling a venomous strike from range that had to be brilliantly tipped to safety by Howes.
The Daggers first sight of goal came in the 35th minute when Dermi Lusala struck a long-distance strike that flew over the crossbar.
On the hour mark, the Stones won a free-kick in a dangerous position and Nathan Tshikuna stepped up with powerful effort, but it was straight at Howes.
The introduction of substitute Sak Hassan added impetus to the attack and he teed up Tshikuna in the 69thminute for a strike that whistled over the bar.
As the contest approached the final ten minutes, the visitors rallied for a late winner themselves, and they were nearly fruitful in the 79th minute when Joe Haigh drilled a low strike on target, but Dante Baptiste was equal to his effort.
On the 81st minute mark, Wealdstone finally got their deserved breakthrough, with the lively Hassan pulling the ball back from the byline for Obiero to convert from close-range and send his team into the next round.
In the penultimate minute of stoppage time, the Stones nearly added another goal, exploiting Howes coming up for a corner, but substitute Sean Adarkwa’s shot came up just short.
Wealdstone return to league action next Saturday 17 January when they entertain Woking at Grosvenor Vale in a 3pm kick-off. Buy tickets here!
Wealdstone: Baptiste, Cox, Woodman, McAvoy, Hutchinson, Kadji (Turner 81), Mussa, Georgiou (Hassan 67), Olomola (Boldewijn 81), Obiero (Adarkwa 87), Tshikuna.
Subs not used: Johnson, Cook, Tiensia.
