Following back-to-back away fixtures, Gary Johnson’s men return to Plainmoor on Saturday to face Wealdstone.
With three vital points on offer, both sides will be looking to snatch a victory as the season edges closer to the final ten games.
Who’s the Boss?
Following a stint as caretaker manager, Stuart Maynard was appointed as the Stones First Team Manager in March 2021. Having played for the club in the 1990s, his appointment was popular amongst the Wealdstone fanbase. Maynard had previously been Assistant Manager for Wealdstone under Dean Brennan.
During his first season in the management team, the side secured the National League South title in 2020. In their first season in the National League, the Stones secured a 19th place finish, before last season the side secured a 16th place finish.
How have they been doing?
Wealdstone currently sit 5 points outside the final play-offs place. Positioned in 10th with 52 points following 14 wins, 11 draws and 10 losses so far this season. Maynard’s side have enjoyed the majority of their wins at Grosvenor Vale, with only 5 of their 14 victories coming on the road so far.
The Stones come into Saturday’s clash following back-to-back victories at home over Maidstone (2-1) and Altrincham (4-0). Three away fixtures preceded these victories, including a 5-0 defeat at FC Halifax Town, and draws at Woking (1-1) and Chesterfield (1-1).
Player to Watch
Max Kretzschmar arrived at Grosvenor Vale last June following the expiration of his contract at Woking. The midfielder enjoyed two spells at Woking, with a stint at Hampton & Richmond preceding four seasons at the Laithwaite Community Stadium. Since making the switch to the Stones, Kretzschmar has been deployed in a more attacking midfield role and has scored 5 goals in 25 appearances in the National League so far this season.
A key component in the Woking side that made the Third Round of the Emirates FA Cup and won promotion from the National League South via the play-offs in 2018/19. Having established himself as a fan-favourite, Kretzschmar was named Woking’s Player of the Season and Players’ Player of the Season in their 2021/22 end of season awards.
The 29-year-old was scouted by Southampton in his youth, before signing professional terms at Wycombe Wanderers, where he enjoyed a goal-scoring debut from the bench against Hartlepool in League Two and went on to tally 6 goals from 35 appearances that season. Following one season at Woking, injury saw the midfielder join National League South outfit Hampton & Richmond in a season where the side went on to lose the play-off final against Braintree on penalties – Kretzschmar then returned to Woking.
Played for Both
Corie Andrews arrived at Plainmoor over the summer and following 14 appearances for Gary Johnson’s side made the switch to fellow National League side Wealdstone in January. The Lambeth-born striker has since gone on to score 3 goals in 8 appearances for the Stones.
A former graduate of the Crystal Palace academy, Andrews went on to play for the likes of Whyteleafe, Margate and Kingstonian, with a second spell at the latter seeing the striker score 9 goals in 11 games, earning Andrews a move to AFC Wimbledon.
It was from Wimbledon that the 25-year-old enjoyed a loan stint at Aldershot Town, scoring 9 goals in 20 appearances, which earned Andrews a loan move into League Two with Colchester United where he went on to make 11 appearances.
Previous Encounter
Torquay United 5 – 0 Wealdstone, 2nd October 2021, National League.
It was a five star performance by United last time the Stones visited Plainmoor. Tom Lapslie opened the scoring early on, Dan Holman’s first goal for the Club doubled that advantage, before Armani Little made it three. A missed Little penalty failed to stop the surge, before Joe Lewis’ maiden strike for United gave his side a four-goal lead at the break. The second period saw the avalanche stifled somewhat, however a second for Holman saw The Gulls secure a superb 5-0 win.
Torquay United v Wealdstone | Saturday 11th March 3pm KO | National League | Official TUFC Radio | Tickets