Stuart Maynard’s Wealdstone provides Gary Johnson’s men with their next test, as United head to Grosvenor Vale on Saturday.
Following Tuesday evening’s defeat against Solihull Moors, United will be looking to return to winning ways against a Stones side who have enjoyed an impressive start to the 2022/23 campaign.
Who’s the Boss?
Former Wealdstone player Stuart Maynard was appointed as First Team Manager in March 2021, following a stint as caretaker manager – following the departure of Dean Brennan. His appointment was popular amongst the Stones fanbase, after Maynard has played at Grosvenor Vale in the 1990s himself.
Prior to taking the helm, Maynard had been Assistant Manager, and during his first season in the management team, the side secured the National League South title in 2020.
How have they been doing?
It has been a bright start to the season so far for Wealdstone, who won four out of their first five games, however their start has since been hindered by three draws against Yeovil, Woking, and Maidstone.
The Stones currently reside 6th in the National League with 15 points, 5 points off of current league leaders Chesterfield.
Player to Watch
Rhys Browne signed on at Wealdstone on permanent terms in June, following a spell at Grosvenor Vale last season on a non-contract basis, where the forward scored 7 goals in 29 appearances.
The 26-year-old is renowned for his goalscoring antics and has began the current season well, scoring 4 goals in the first 8 games.
Browne’s career began at Charlton Athletic, before he enjoyed a successful stint at Aldershot Town where, playing as a winger, he scored 7 goals, and was an ever-present, tallying 41 appearances. Following this, Browne had earned himself a move into the EFL with Grimsby Town.
Notably, Rhys is also a Antigua and Barbuda international. He made his international debut in 2015, and has since gone on to accumulate 12 caps to date.
The forward has also played for the likes of Macclesfield Town, Port Vale and Yeovil Town, and was also part of the Sutton side that were promoted to the Football League in 2021.
Rhys is the son of the late Steve Browne, who had two spells at the Greater London side in the late 1980s, and early 1990s, and was a popular figure at the Club.
Played for Both
Right-back Michee Efete arrived at Plainmoor on loan from Norwich City in August 2017, where he went on to make 26 appearances across the 2017/18 season. Efete’s stint at Grosvenor Vale came more recently, with the defender, who can also play in a centre-back position, enjoying two seasons with the Stones between 2019 and 2021.
Efete progressed through the youth ranks at Norwich, before a loan spell at Icelandic side Breidablik preceded his stint at Plainmoor. The defender has since gone on to play for the likes of Maidstone, Billericay, and then Wealdstone, before joining his current side, Grimsby Town.
The 25-year-old signed a contract extension at Blundell Park in June, after impressing since his arrival in 2021. During his first season, he scored 4 goals in 30 appearances, and was a key component in the promotion winning side last season.
Previous Encounter
Wealdstone 1 – 2 Torquay United, 1st December 2020, National League
There were late heroics for United when they travelled to Greater London in 2020, after Gary Johnson’s men came from behind to snatch the points from Wealdstone.
Against the run of play, it was Wealdstone who lead at the halfway point through Danny Parish, before Billy Waters’ first goal for the Club levelled the scores on the hour mark. However Waters sealed the victory in the final moments of the game, making it 2-1.
After being quick out of the traps and creating a number of chances in the opening 25 minutes, it was the home side who took the lead on 27 minutes. A misplaced pass forced a brave, smothering save by Shaun MacDonald, the ball bounced kindly to Parish, who was able to fire home.
Gary Johnson’s men continued to dominate with little reward, until the 60th minute. After winning a free-kick just inside the opposition half, Jake Andrews’ deep free-kick was directed perfectly towards Hall, and although his header failed to find the net, substitute Waters was on hand to steer home a header from point-blank range to level the scores.
Just when it looked as though the game was petering out to a draw, The Gulls had the final word.
With the game entering the 89th minute, Andrews strode forward into opposition territory, before feeding Lemonheigh-Evans to his left. His low ball was driven across the face of goal, where Waters was on hand to stab home the ball past Moore from six yards out.
Ticketing information is available here, with live commentary of the match also available via TUFC Radio here.