Eastleigh 0 – 0 Wealdstone

Eastleigh

Vanarama National League

0 - 0

Wealdstone

KO: 15:00 | Sat 12th Aug ’23

Wealdstone picked up a point and clean sheet on the first game on the road of 2023/24 in a 0-0 draw at Eastleigh’s Silverlake Stadium.

The Stones will feel the most deserving of all three points with Spitfires goalkeeper Joe McDonnell winning man of the match with stops denying Micah Obiero and a potential own goal the most notable.

Stuart Maynard made one change to the side that begun the season against York City last week, with Max Kretzschmar rewarded for his off the bench performance, starting.

With the hosts enjoying the majority of possession in the opening stages it was Wealdstone who fashioned the first chance of the game when Charles Clayden’s cross was met by a looping Ashley Charles header, the midfielder picked out the top corner but the pace was lacking enough to allow McDonnell to collect.

Alex Dyer was next to test the keeper, firing an effort with his weaker foot off the palms of the keeper after a well-worked short corner routine with Charles.

Jed Ward was given his first real test on half hour when Lee Hodson fired through a crowd of bodies but the keeper reacted well to push the effort away from danger.

Five minutes into the second half the Stones had a huge chance to open the scoring. Clayden whipped a low cross in to Tahvon Campbell who managed to control despite it being just behind the forward, that teed up Obiero to shoot from close range but he hit it straight at the Eastleigh keeper.

McDonnell earned his man of the match award with his next save. Charles fizzed in a low corner which was directed at his own goal by Solomon Nwabuokei from close range but the keeper made a point-blank reaction save to tip wide.

Eastleigh’s best chance of the game came on 77 minutes. Enzio Boldewijn’s cross was met by Paul McCallum who poked an effort round Charlie Barker but just wide of the post.

The Stones had two chances to earn a late stoppage time win. Obiero saw his low strike tipped round the post by McDonnell in the first minute of added time and then Clayden saw his free kick fizz off the top of the wall and just wide in the final kick of the game.

Maynard’s side will take the point and clean sheet regardless and head to Bromley on Tuesday evening who have yet to clock points from the opening two games.

WEALDSTONE: Ward, Cook (c), Barker, Mundle-Smith, Clayden, Charles (Bowen 85), Dyer, Kretzschmar, Obiero, Olomola (Allarakhia 73), Campbell (Andrews 73). Subs not used: Barrett, Adarkwa.

Attendance: 2,030 (including 172 Stones fans)

Report by Chris Woods

Stuart Maynard Post Match HERE

Mike Renny Match Pics HERE

Match Highlights HERE