Report: Wealdstone 4 – 1 Weston-super-Mare
Wealdstone
4 - 1
Weston-super-MareIn the blistering heat at The Vale on Saturday, Wealdstone opened the new campaign in fine style with a comprehensive 4-1 defeat of Weston super Mare with a score line that could easily have been far more emphatic. The writing was on the wall for the West Country side after only 2 minutes play when some slick Stones passing through the midfield saw Stevenage loanee Joe White smash the ball past a stranded Luke Purnell. Stones pressed forward again and White almost doubled his tally 3 minutes later when his smart effort struck the upright.
Stones were rampant and the Seagulls couldn’t contain their high tempo passing game, soon conceding again. Another superb move from Wealdstone saw striker David Pratt rifle the ball past the beleaguered Purnell.
Weston rallied briefly and Ben Swallow saw a half chance dealt with by the Stones defence.
But from a rare foray into Stones territory Weston pulled a goal back to temporarily peg back the home side. Some untypically lax defending allowed Eli Phipps to steal in and he got on the end of a free ball from a corner and lashed past Jon North on 21 minutes.
There was no stopping Stones attacking mindset and this set-back did little to disrupt the pattern of play and minutes later Bradley Hudson-Odoi produced a fantastic strike from 30 yards but the ball clipped off the post to safety. But the winger was not to be denied and soon found the net with a neat cut-in and curling strike that bounced in off the far post for 3-1 to restore the home side’s two goal cushion.
Stones had further chances to increase their lead before the break with the closest being White’s effort that hit the side netting with the Seagulls defence all over the place. Stones Man of the Match Godfrey Puko controlled the midfield superbly all afternoon putting in challenge after challenge and passing accurately to set up attacks.
The second half saw more of the same with unrelenting Stones pressure. Purnell produced a remarkable save from point blank range from Pratt as the home side continually drove forward to kill the game off.
The Seagulls then had their best spell of possession as Stones understandably eased off but they were unable to break down a stubborn home defence with Jerome Okimo , Connor Stevens and both fullbacks outstanding.
Stones finally sealed the opening day victory with a fine, accurate strike from the ever industrious Pratt claiming his double with 5 minutes left on the clock with White almost grabbing a second before the final whistle.
We are back in NLS action with a trip to Hungerford Town on Tuesday evening (August 7th), kick-off 19:45
WEALDSTONE (4-4-2): North 7, Tyler 7, Grant 7, Stevens 8, Okimo 8, Poku 8, White 7, Ahmidi 7, Pratt 8, Green 7 (Sheppard,82, 6), Hudson-Odoi 8
WESTON s MARE (4-4-2): Purnell 7, McGory 5,(Byrne 45, 5), Nurse 6, Cane 5, Pope 5, Price 5, Swallow 7, Diallo 6, Lucas 5 (Hill,72, 5), Welch 6, Phipps 7
Geoff Smith pictures HERE
Match highlights HERE
Nick DuGard
General Manager/Press Officer