Wealdstone 0 – 1 Wycombe Wanderers

Wealdstone

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Wycombe Wanderers

KO: 19:30 | Tue 25th Jul ’23

Wealdstone were narrowly beaten 1-0 by League One side Wycombe Wanderers at Grosvenor Vale, with Garath McCleary’s 42nd minute strike the only goal of the game on Tuesday evening.

Stones boss Stuart Maynard handed a start to new keeper Jed Ward, who joined on the day from Bristol Rovers for the season.

In a first half where both sides enjoyed large spells of keep ball trying to probe through the opposition it was Luke Leahy who had the first chance of the game, trying an audacious lob from 40 yards out, but it never troubled Ward in goal.

It took until 30 minutes for Ward to make his first save, getting down low to thwart Dale Taylor when he broke free from the Wealdstone defence.

Wealdstone first troubled when Micah Obiero played in Charles Clayden down the right, his low cross to Corie Andrews was cut out by Jasper Pattenden, who’s clearance almost went into his own net.

The visitors scored the only goal of the game next on 42 minutes when Leahy swerved in a crossed free kick to McCleary who flicked it past Ward with the deftest of touches.

There was almost an instant equaliser from the Stones when Nathan Ferguson played the trialist winger in on goal but Chairboys keeper Max Stryjek saved well with his legs.

With a number of changes made by both teams it took the second half until 77 minutes to spark into action when Olufela Olomola saw his on target effort flicked over the bar by a Wycombe defender.

Olomola went closer just a minute later when he cut inside from the left and unleashed a swerving effort that just went wide of the far post.

Chairboys midfielder Jack Young then gave Ward his first save of the second half, when his 20-yard strike was tipped over by the keeper with ten minutes to go.

Ashley Charles was bailed out by Ward in the final moments after the midfielder was dispossessed on the edge of the area but Stones’ new stopper saved well with his leg to keep it at 1-0, with the final whistle going moments after.

Stones welcome League Two side AFC Wimbledon for our final friendly of pre-season this Saturday at Grosvenor Vale, with an early kick off time of 1pm.

WEALDSTONE: Ward, Trialist A, Barker (Cook 60), Mundle-Smith, Clayden (Trialist D 60), Trialist B (Charles 60), Ferguson (c) (Dyer 60), McGregor, Trialist C (Phillips 78), Obiero (Olomola 60), Andrews (Campbell 60). Subs not used: Trialist E, Brookshaw.

Report by Chris Woods

Jon Taffel Match pics HERE