Sutton Utd 4 – 1 Wealdstone
Sutton United4 - 1
WealdstoneTen-man Wealdstone were beaten comprehensively by title-challenging Sutton United in a 4-1 defeat at Gander Green Lane.
Isaac Olaofe put the hosts one ahead in a tight opening 40 minutes, until Ashley Charles saw red and goals from Ben Goodliffe and Louis John sealed the game before half time.
The Stones improved in the second half and kept the pressure on following Danny Parish’s goal but the game was sealed on 82 minutes by substitute Tobi Sho-Silva. Wealdstone Caretaker boss Stuart Maynard made two changes to the side that drew at league leaders Torquay United, with Parish returning to the starting eleven along with Danny Green. Stones were also boosted by the return of Josh Meekings and Ross Lafayette from the bench.
It was a fairly close opening to the game but the hosts managed to get a goal out of the few chances created when Olaofe latched onto a David Ajiboye cross before rolling past Harry Isted on 20 minutes to make it 1-0.
The game then turned on 40 minutes when Charles was given a second yellow card by referee Scott Jackson for what appeared to be dissent.
And the hosts took immediate advantage of having the extra man. Will Randall’s free kick was nodded across goal by Omar Bugiel to Goodliffe and he struck it past Isted.
There was time for the U’s to add another just before half time when Rob Milsom’s free kick was spilled by Isted only for John to tap in the rebound.
Half time gave the Stones a chance to recuperate and began the second half in the ascendancy. Parish was rewarded with a goal on his return to the starting line-up when Green’s free kick was headed back across goal by Jack Cawley for Parish to nod in from close range.
The Stones did look a threat from set pieces and nearly reduced the deficit to one goal when Green’s deep free kick was headed over by Cawley.
However the man advantage and the three-goal advantage made it an uphill task for the Stones and the game was sealed on 82 minutes when Craig Eastmond crossed in for Sho-Silva who nodded past Isted. Eastleigh visit The Vale again on Tuesday night but this time in National League action as the Stones look to pick up their first league win since December.
WEALDSTONE: Isted, Olowu, Okimo (c), Cawley, Wishart (Meekings 72), Charles, Green, Dyer, Lewis (Lafayette 82), Mendy, Parish (Phillips 59). Subs not used: Askew, Dalling.
SUTTON UNITED: Bouzanis, Barden, John, Goodliffe, Milsom (Wyatt 45), Beautyman, Eastmond (c), Randall, Ajiboye, Bugiel (Sho-Silva 57), Olaofe (Browne 76). Subs not used: Davis, Dundas.
Report by Chris Woods
Stuart Maynard post match interview HERE
Adam Williams match pics HERE
Jon Taffel match pics HERE
Match highlights HERE