Aldershot Town 1 – 3 Wealdstone
Aldershot Town1 - 3
WealdstoneWealdstone ended the 2021/22 National League season with a 3-1 win at Aldershot Town, with goals from Connor McAvoy, Josh Umerah and Ira Jackson sealing the win at the EBB Stadium. Jayden Harris equalised for the hosts.
Stones boss Stuart Maynard made one change to the side that beat King’s Lynn Town last week with Rhys Browne returning to the starting eleven in place of Charlie Cooper who dropped to the bench.
The hosts started the brightest and could have gone ahead four minutes in when Colin Daniel creeped in at the far post only to shoot an effort wide of goal.
Browne then played in Ashley Charles who just beat keeper Ryan Hall to the ball before contact was made, the ball then fell to Umerah but Hall recovered to palm away the rebounded effort.
It was the Stones who opened the scoring on 15 minutes when McAvoy rose highest to hit a bullet header past Hall from a corner.
Aaron Henry almost added to the scoring a minute later. Charles Clayden’s cross was headed away by Kodi Lyons-Foster to Henry on the edge of the box but his effort deflected just over the bar off of the defender.
The hosts equalised on 29 minutes when Harris collected the ball in midfield before strolling through the Stones defensive line to slot past George Wickens.
Mo Bettamer missed a sitter for the hosts just before half time. Tommy Willard was played in down the Shots right-hand side and played a low cross to the Libyan striker at the far post but with the goal gaping he blazed it over.
Umerah then spurned an equally glorious chance in first half stoppage time. Browne broke forward and played a low cross to sub Cooper, he found Umerah unmarked at the far post but the striker only hit into the side netting.
Goal number 17 for the season did eventually come for the striker. Clayden’s low cross found Umerah inside the box and he turned his man and slotted into the bottom corner on 69 minutes.
Wickens produced heroics moments later to keep the Stones ahead. Mo Sylla found Shots sub Mikael Ndjoli at the far post, he cut inside and swerved an effort toward the top corner but the Fulham loanee managed to tip it onto the post and out on his final Stones appearance.
Aldershot enjoyed a lot of territory in the closing stages without carving any more promising opportunities, whilst the introduction of Jamie Mascoll made the Stones a little more potent on the break.
And in the final minute of seven added on, Cooper picked out fellow substitute Jackson and he had the easiest of finishes past Hall to seal the victory.
The win means the Stones finish a fantastic 2021/22 National League season in 16th place, a brilliant achievement from Maynard’s part-time side.
WEALDSTONE: Wickens, Tavares, Cook (c), McAvoy, Mundle-Smith (Mascoll 77), Charles (Cooper 30), Henry, Browne (Jackson 57), Sesay, Clayden, Umerah. Subs not used: Hearn, Shrowder.
Report by Chris Woods
Stuart Maynard & Matt Saunders post match interview HERE
Jon Taffel Match pics HERE
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