Wealdstone 1 – 2 Notts County

Wealdstone

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Notts County

KO: 19:30 | Tue 16th Jul ’24

Wealdstone were narrowly defeated in their third preseason outing by former manager Stuart Maynard’s Notts County, at Grosvenor Vale.

 A first half brace from Alassana Jatta secured victory for the EFL League Two side, with Sam Ashford reducing the deficit for the Stones, to cap off an excellent second half performance.

Matty Taylor made three changes to the team that were beaten by Chesham United on Saturday, with Jack Cook, Brandon Mason and Micah Obiero returning to the starting line-up.

The visitors made the perfect start, taking the lead within the first five minutes as Jatta converted Jodi Jones’ cross past Archie Matthews at the far post.

The dominant Magpies doubled their advantage in the 22nd minute when the lively Jatta pounced in the box again to despatch home Aaron Nemane’s cross past Matthews from close range.

Wealdstone’s best chance of the first half came in the 28th minute, as last season’s joint top goalscorer Sean Adarkwa was slid through on goal, but his powerful strike was wide of the target.

In the second half, the Stones grew into the match, nearly reducing the deficit in the 61st minute, however Enzio Boldewijn’s long range shot was well-saved by Matthews.

Five minutes later, Taylor’s men came close to scoring again when substitutes Alex Dyer and Todd Miller combined, with the latter cutting inside and unleashing a fierce strike that whistled just over the crossbar.

The Stones’ positive spell of play continued, with Adarkwa testing Alex Bass a minute later with a well-struck effort, but Notts County shot-stopper was equal to the effort.

Moments later, it was the newly introduced Sam Ashford’s turn to nearly pull a goal back for the Stones, with his goal-bound strike blocked on the line by Archie Aves.

Wealdstone were finally rewarded for their attacking endeavours in the 76th minute, as Ashford fired past Bass in clinical fashion to round off a fine sequence of play.

The Stones continued in the ascendancy and nearly drew level, with Adarkwa and the energetic Dom Hutchinson shooting narrowly wide in quick succession.

With seven minutes remaining, late substitute Trae Cook-Appiah looked like he had made a deft impact to rescue a draw, surging down the length of the left wing, but firing agonisingly over the crossbar.

Wealdstone return to preseason action this Saturday 20th July when they host Millwall U21s at Grosvenor Vale, in a 3pm kick-off.

WEALDSTONE XI: Matthews (GK), Barrett, Mariappa (Woodman 77′(, Cook (Dyer 45′), Mason (Trialist A 63′), Cesay, Eastmond (Dreher 77′), Obiero (Ashford 63′), Kretzschmar (Hutchinson 63′), Boldewijn (Miller 63′), Adarkwa.

Match Report: Nicole Cho-Yee

Matt Taylor post match Interview HERE

Jon Taffel Match pics HERE