Southend United 1 – 1 Wealdstone

March 6, 2024 ⋅ 2023-24
SouthendSouthend United
Vanarama National League

1 - 1

WealdstoneWealdstone
KO: 19:45 | Tue 5th Mar ’24

Despite letting slip a one-goal advantage at the death, Wealdstone left Roots Hall Stadium with a valuable point on the road.

An early goal from top goalscorer Sean Adarkwa was cancelled out by a late finish from substitute Henry Sandat.

Manager David Noble made two changes to the side that defeated York City on Saturday, with Brandon Mason slotting in for the unavailable Jaydn Mundle-Smith and new signing Dillon De Silva making his debut.

Southend United registered their first sight of goal within three minutes of play when Marcus Dackers squared to Danny Waldron and he unleashed a fierce strike that flew just over the post.

However, the Stones responded perfectly, taking the lead on the 5th minute mark as Max Kretzschmar dinked the ball to Adarkwa and the talisman slotted home past Collin Andeng Ndi from close range to notch his 10th goal of the season.

Galvanised by the goal, the Stones looked to extend their lead in the 20th minute when the lively Tarryn Allarakhia drilled a dangerous ball into the box, but Andeng Ndi reacted with a solid save.

At the opposing end, the Shrimpers were agonisingly close to equalising on the half hour mark when Jason Demetriou slid through Waldron, who chipped the ball over Marcus Dewhurst, but skipper Jack Cook responded with a superb goal line clearance.

With seven minutes of the first-half remaining, hot-shot Allarakhia nearly scored a sublime goal, picking the ball up from the half-way line, surging forward past two Shrimpers defenders and shooting from an acute angle, only to be thwarted by Andeng Ndi.

Moments later, the hosts came close to levelling when Noor Husin spotted the Wealdstone goalkeeper off of his line and attempted to lob Dewhurst, however the Stones shot-stopper back-peddled and produced a finger-tip save to deny the midfielder.

As the first-half progressed into added time, the Stones had two chances to bolster their advantage going into the interval, but Adarkwa and De Silva were both just off target with their respective strikes.

Southend United returned from the break with added gusto as they looked to restore parity early in the second-half; Waldron connected with Jack Bridge’s cross, but Wealdstone managed to clear the ball off of the line.

Five minutes later, Waldron was presented with another opportunity to draw his team level; however he could only direct his free-header over the crossbar from 8-yards.

In the 61st minute, substitute Nathan Ferguson almost made an immediate impact against his former club, surging into the area and firing just over the crossbar.

As the match entered the final ten minutes, the Shrimpers had another opportunity to equalise but Sandat header over from close range.

However, on the stroke of regulation time, Sandat atoned for his previous miss, converting home Bridge’s cross past Dewhurst to rescue a point for Kevin Maher’s men.

Wealdstone return to action this Saturday 9th March when they host Solihull Moors at The Vale in the Quarter Final of the FA Trophy, in a 3pm kick-off.

WEALDSTONE: Dewhurst, Barrett, Cook (c), Barker, Mason, Dyer, Bowen, Kretzschmar (Henry 65), De Silva (Ferguson 61), Allarakhia, Adarkwa (Andrews 67). Subs not used: Seaman, Cesay.

Attendance: 6,399 (including 78 Wealdstone supporters)

Report by Nicole Cho-Yee

David Noble post match interview HERE

Jon Taffel Match pics HERE

Match Highlights HERE

A LAST-GASP equaliser from substitute Henry Sandat secured Southend United a 1-1 draw against Wealdstone at Roots Hall tonight.

Blues went behind early on and seemed set for a frustrating evening after failing to make the most of some excellent opportunities.

But the Shrimpers continued to attack and were rewarded late on with Sandat diverting home a left wing cross from Jack Bridge as the hosts bagged their first home draw of the season.

Southend – who were missing the injured Harry Cardwell in attack – threatened in the opening exchanges with Danny Waldon firing over after being found in the box by Marcus Dackers.

However, the visitors hit back and broke the deadlock in the fifth minute with Adarkwa on target for the 10th time this season.

The striker was left unmarked just six yards from goal and had time and space to neatly control Max Kretzschmar’s left wing cross before firing home.

The goal saw the Shrimpers fall behind for the fourth game in succession and the visitors were soon pushing for a second goal with Tarryn Allarakhia having a low cross shot gathered by goalkeeper Collin Andeng Ndi at the second attempt.

Blues soon replied and came close to equalising just past the half hour mark when a fine through ball from Jason Demetriou created a good chance for Waldron.

The forward lifted the ball over the advancing Marcus Dewhurst but Stones skipper Jack Cook got back well to clear the effort away from goal.

Dewhurst then tipped over a looping volley from Noor Husin before the visitors threatened down the left hand side with Allarakhia beating two or three Blues defenders before seeing his shot blocked by Andeng Ndi at the near post.

Blues soon replied and came close to equalising just past the half hour mark when a fine through ball from Jason Demetriou created a good chance for Waldron.

The forward lifted the ball over the advancing Marcus Dewhurst but Stones skipper Jack Cook got back well to clear the effort away from goal.

Dewhurst then tipped over a looping volley from Noor Husin before the visitors threatened down the left hand side with Allarakhia beating two or three Blues defenders before seeing his shot blocked by Andeng Ndi at the near post.

And on the stroke of half-time the visitors threatened again with Dillon De Silva bursting into the box before sending a left footed shot over the crossbar.

Blues made a change at the break with Oli Coker coming on for Wes Fonguck in midfield and the hosts soon wasted a big chance to draw back level as an unmarked Waldron headed Demetriou’s right wing cross over the crossbar from six yards out.

Moments later, Husin saw his shot deflected over the crossbar from 12 yards before Dackers headed Scott-Morriss’ right wing cross wide of the target.

Wealdstone replied by bringing on ex Blues midfielder Nathan Ferguson and he was immediately involved, firing over the crossbar from 20 yards.

The Shrimpers soon responded with a change of their own as Sandat replaced Waldron in attack and the striker was immediately involved as Dewhurst rushed out to stop him reaching a knock down from Scott-Morriss.

A stooping Dackers then headed a right wing cross from Scott-Morriss over the crossbar before Sandat wasted a fine opportunity as he headed over a left wing cross from Bridge.

Blues made their third and final change in the 83rd minute with Jack Wood replacing Scott-Morriss down the right hand side before the hosts made sure of point just seven minutes later.

Bridge was again the creator as he darted in from the left hand side before delivering an inviting cross Sandat stabbed home to make it six games unbeaten for Kevin Maher’s side.

 

Southend  Echo