Wealdstone 2 – 1 York City
Wealdstone2 - 1
York CityWealdstone defeat 10-man York City 2-1 in the National League season opener at Grosvenor Vale thanks to a late winner from Jaydn Mundle-Smith.
York City opened the scoring in the 39th minute when Dipo Akinyemi finished well for a debut goal. Wealdstone levelled the score 60 minutes in when a handball resulted in a penalty for the home side, which was converted by Max Kretzschmar.
A red card was given to Callum Howe just minutes before the Wealdstone winner after he brought down Corie Andrews, who was through on goal with the keeper to beat.
The well-deserved Wealdstone winner came in the 87th minute after a fierce finish into the top corner from Mundle-Smith saw the hosts take the lead.
With the rain pouring down, the Stones began the season how they finished the last, spraying the ball around in typical Stuart Maynard fashion, looking to break down their opponents.
Their first chance of the game came in the 10th minute when Tahvon Campbell saw his effort well-blocked by a York defender.
With both teams looking to find the opener, York looked the more likely of the two sides in the first-half and saw two strong chances fall to Daniel Pybus around the 30-minute mark.
The first chance saw the ball floated into the path of Pybus, but his first-time volley fell straight into the hands of Jed Ward. Just three minutes later, the 25-year-old saw a well-hit effort deflect just wide of the Wealdstone goal.
The visitors flurry of chances finally found the back of the net in the 39th minute when Lennell John-Lewis’ scuffed effort fell straight to into the path of Akinyemi, who placed a smart finish into the bottom corner to give the Minstermen the lead on his first start.
The second-half saw a fired-up Wealdstone side pushing for an equaliser as the sun began to shine on Grosvenor Vale.
A glimmer of hope came for the Stones in the 60th minute when a handball inside the York penalty area saw the referee point to spot and give Wealdstone a chance to level the score.
Stepping up to take the penalty, substitute Kretzschmar took his time and smashed the ball into the top-right corner to level up the scores and add to the four penalties he converted last season.
With momentum on their side, the Stones pressed on in search for winner and almost found it when Obiero was played through, but his powerful effort rose over David Stockdale’s goal.
Once again, an inspired substitution from Maynard saw Andrews make an instant impact after a loose pass from York saw him played in on goal but brought down by Howe, resulting in a red card for the defender.
A well-deserved late winner came for the Stones in the 87th minute when a cute reverse pass from Kretzschmar found the on-rushing Mundle-Smith, who smashed his effort into the top-corner to give the hosts the lead.
A composed finish to the game, which had 10 added minutes thanks to the new rules, saw the Stones come away with all three points on the opening day of the season.
The Stones face Eastleigh away from home next Saturday at 3pm in the National League.
WEALDSTONE: Ward, Barker, Cook (c), Mundle-Smith, Clayden, Charles, Dyer, Obiero, Allarakhia (Kretzschmar 45), Olomola (Adarkwa 90), Campbell (Andrews 74). Subs not used: Baptiste, McGregor.
Attendance: 1,805
Report by Will Beaman
Stuart Maynard Post Match interview HERE
Jon Taffel Match pics HERE
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| MoM – Jack Cook | Non-League Newspaper |
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