Wealdstone 1
(Browne 67′)
United 1
(Omar 2′)
United had to settle for a point on the road on Saturday, as Wealdstone came from behind to secure a 1-1 draw.
A second minute from Ali Omar gave The Gulls the perfect start, however despite a magnificent defensive display, a second-half leveller from Stephan Rhys Browne eventually ensured the points were shared.
United Manager Gary Johnson named two changes in the starting line-up that lost 4-1 at Plainmoor on Tuesday. Dan Martin and captain Asa Hall returned to the starting 11, in place of Dean Moxey and Brett McGavin respectively.
After beginning the opening stages on the front foot, it took Gary Johnson’s men two minutes to establish the lead. Kieron Evans curled a free kick from the left deep into the Wealdstone box towards a cluster of players around the far-post. After a close-range effort rattled the underside of the bar, was pounced on by Omar to mark the defender’s first goal in a yellow shirt.
Possession was more evenly contested for a period thereafter, before a great chance arose for Gary Johnson’s side to double the advantage.
Will Goodwin controlled the ball well in the centre circle and drove through the Wealdstone half, before opting to play the ball to Corie Andrews on his left, who in turn chose to put a low cross into the box, which just evaded an advancing Evans.
United went close again on 18 minutes.
A great cross from Dylan Crowe on the right found a rising Hall in the centre, with the skipper’s header looked to be heading towards the bottom right corner, but Howes was alert and just able to gather the ball on the goal-line.
Both sides continued to pressure each other on the counter, however it wasn’t until the 33rd minute that The Stones threatened, when a low-driven strike by Tarryn Allarakhia was well saved by Lovett who dived down to his right to smother the effort.
Inside of the 8 minutes signalled by the Fourth Official United did well to absorb pressure from the hosts as they pressed for an equaliser. In the third minute of injury time Dominic Hutchinson did well to cut into the right edge of the box, before his drilled effort which looked to be heading towards the bottom left corner, was blocked and cleared by Ross Marshall. One minute later Lovett was forced into action to make a great save to deny Jaydn Mundle-Smith.
Gary Johnson’s men continued to defend well in the closing stages, which ensured the men in yellow went into the half time break ahead.
Following a slow start to the second half, it was the home side who went made the early running in search of an equaliser.
Lovett was alert to push a drilled effort from Hutchinson over the bar, before four minutes later from a free kick just outside the box Olufela Olomola curled his effort just high and wide of the left-hand post.
Pressure from the hosts persisted, and in the 67th minute the scores were levelled. Following a number of passes in the build up, the ball found its way to substitute Stephan Rhys Browne who was able to bundle home from point-blank range.
Lovett was forced into action minutes later, as he produced an excellent save to deny Allarakhia, before on 77 minutes, Browne had an effort cleared from the goal-line by Ali Omar.
United had to soak up a significant spell of pressure in the time that remained, but they did so manfully, to ensure the side takes a point back to Plainmoor.
Wealdstone: 13. Samuel Howes, 2. Jack Cook (c), 4. Ashley Charles (19. Malachi Napa 75′), 7. Tarryn Allarakhia, 8. Nathan Ferguson, 9. Olufela Olomola, 11. David Sesay, 17. Dominic Hutchinson, 18. Alex Dyer (10. Stephan Rhys Browne 62′), 23. Jaydn Mundle-Smith, 28. Samuel Habergham.
SUBS NOT USED: 1. Dante-Astor Baptiste, 6. Mason Barrett, 21. Jordy Mongoy.
Yellow Cards: Charles 19′
United: 22. Rhys Lovett, 2. Dylan Crowe, 3. Dan Martin, 5. Ali Omar, 6. Ross Marshall, 7. Ryan Hanson, 8. Asa Hall (c) (14. Brett McGavin 75′), 10. Corie Andrews (9. Aaron Jarvis 61′), 11. Kieron Evans, 15. Ben Wyatt (23. Ollie Tomlinson 75′), 19. Will Goodwin.
SUBS NOT USED: 1. Mark Halstead, 16. Shaun Donnellan.
Yellow Cards: Omar 58′
Attendance: 1,366 (208 away)