Wealdstone 3 – 0 Solihull Moors

WealdstoneWealdstone
National League

3 - 0

SolihullSolihull Moors
KO: 19:45 | Tue 25th Apr ’23

Wealdstone produced a comprehensive performance to sweep aside Solihull Moors at Grosvenor Vale and leapfrog them into 13th position in the National League table after a 3-0 win.

Goals from Nathan Ferguson, Micah Obiero and Charles Clayden sealed a comfortable victory for the Stones in their final home game of the season which saw striker Corie Andrews collapse in the final minute of the game.

Thankfully he regained consciousness after a few seconds and eventually walked off the pitch following lightning quick treatment from both clubs’ medical teams.

Stuart Maynard made one change to the side that drew against Dorking Wanderers on Saturday, with Jaydn Mundle-Smith returning to the starting line-up following his loan spell at Lewes. The Stones’ first chance of the game came in the tenth minute of play when Obiero surged forward and drove at the Moors’ defence, blazing his shot over the crossbar.

Solihull Moors also came close to scoring in the 17th minute when Jack Stevens fired over from close range after being teed up by Josh Kelly. On the 20th minute, Wealdstone crafted another opportunity when Ashley Charles whipped in a pinpoint free-kick for Charlie Barker at the far post, but the defender could only head his effort wide of the target.

As the Stones continued in the ascendancy, Dom Hutchinson was released through on goal, firing narrowly wide from a tight angle. Wealdstone duly broke the deadlock on the half hour mark when Ferguson produced a moment of magic, driving at the Solihull Moors’ defence and clinically firing past Kieran Boucher into the far corner to notch his sixth goal of the season. Ten minutes later, the Stones doubled their lead from the penalty spot as Obiero stepped up to confidently convert home from 12-yards after being fouled in the box, registering his eighth goal of the campaign.

The Stones returned from half-time with added impetus, galvanising a chance within three minutes of the restart when Hutchinson attempted to dink the ball over Boucher from close range, but the Moors’ shot-stopper responded with a solid save. Moments later, Lewis Simper latched onto the ball from range and unleashed a powerful swerving effort that had to be expertly saved by Boucher.

The visitors looked like they had reduced the deficit in the 62nd minute when Kelly headed towards the bottom corner, but Sam Howes reacted with a superb acrobatic save to deny a certain goal. Five minutes later, Wealdstone trebled their advantage through a lightening counter attack as a teasing cross from Sonny Blu Lo-Everton was rifled home by Clayden for his second goal in as many games. As the match entered the final 20 minutes, the Stones nearly netted a forth through Ferguson, but Boucher responded with a fine save for the Moors.

Solihull Moors once again nearly pulled a consolatory goal back with quarter of an hour remaining, as Beck’s diving header cannoned off of the woodwork. Wealdstone, playing with creativity and fluidity, continued to probe for another goal, coming agonisingly close in the 79thminute as Clayden was thwarted by Boucher, just before Obiero fired over the crossbar following a brilliant team move.

Wealdstone return to action this Saturday 29th April for their final game of the season when they travel to the Roots Hall Stadium to face Southend United in a 5:30pm kick off.

WEALDSTONE: Howes, Cook (c), Barker, Mundle-Smith, Clayden, Charles (Dyer 73), Simper (Habergham 56), Ferguson, Lo-Everton, Obiero, Hutchinson (Andrews 81). Subs not used: Allarakhia, Olomola.

Report by Nicole Cho-Yee

Matt Saunders post Match interview HERE

Jon Taffel Match pics HERE