Wealdstone 1 – 2 Southend Utd
Wealdstone1 - 2
Southend UnitedDespite a battling performance, Wealdstone came up just short, losing 2-1 to Kevin Maher’s in-form Southend United side, at Grosvenor Vale.
Wealdstone took the lead through Manny Duku, but goals from Nathan Ralph and Cav Miley completed a fine comeback for the play-off hopefuls.
After the Stones’ humiliating defeat to fellow relegation strugglers Boreham Wood on Saturday, Stones’ new interim manager Sam Cox made four changes to team, with skipper Jack Cook, Sam Bowen, Dillon De Silva and Duku all returning to the starting line-up.
The Shrimpers enjoyed the lion’s share of possession during the opening stages of the match, but Wealdstone were able to successfully nullify their attacking endeavours.
The Stones’ first sight of goal came in the 22nd minute when Duku was slipped through on goal, though the striker’s shot was high and wide.
Four minutes later, De Silva burst through on goal and was brought down by Miley in a dangerous position; Aaron Henry’s resultant free-kick flew over the crossbar.
After a couple of half-chances, Cox’s side duly took the lead in the 34th minute when Duku pounced at the far post to convert Henry’s corner past Colin Andeng-Ndi and notch his first goal for the club.
The visitors had the opportunity to equalise almost immediately as Jack Bridge’s cross was met by Ralph, but the Shrimpers’ captain could only direct his header wide of the target.
A minute later, goalscorer Duku nearly doubled the Stones’ advantage, curling an effort from the edge of the area that was well-saved by Andeng-Ndi.
Down the opposing end, James Morton was then presented with the chance to level proceedings, but his strike from just outside the box whistled narrowly wide of the post.
However, on the 45th minute mark, the Shrimpers were back on level terms as Bridge’s cross fell to Ralph, who clinically drilled home past Marcus Dewhurst.
The Stones returned from the interval with intent and hot-shot Tarryn Allarakhia came close to sending his side into the lead when he drove forward and curled an effort just wide of the far post.
Moments later, it was then De Silva’s turn to nearly seize the advantage as he unleashed a fierce strike from range that had to be palmed to safety by Andeng-Ndi.
As play continued to be open, the Shrimpers could have edged into the lead in the 63rd minute when Gus Scott-Morriss’ looping cross was met by Waldron, but the striker nodded wide.
The visitors did forge ahead a minute later through Miley, who shifted the ball onto his left foot and rifled home past Dewhurst in style.
Southend United nearly extended their lead further in the 77th minute when Oli Coker struck a powerful effort from range, but Dewhurst was equal to the effort.
As the match entered the final stages, the Stones rallied for a late equaliser to salvage a vital point in their fight for survival. Max Kretzschmar had a golden opportunity to score; however Andeng-Ndi responded with an outstanding double-save to thwart the substitute.
Four minutes into the nine minutes of stoppage time, the lively Henry struck a superb strike from distance that thundered off of the crossbar, denying the Stones from rescuing a late point.
Wealdstone quickly return to action on Thursday 11th April when they host Dorking Wanderers at 7.45pm in a crucial fixture at the foot of the table.
WEALDSTONE: Dewhurst, Barrett, Cook (c), Barker, Mundle-Smith, Bowen (Young 67), Henry, Ferguson (Kretzschmar 81), De Silva, Allarakhia, Duku (Adarkwa 50). Subs not used: Obiero, Cesay.
Attendance: 2,025
Report by Nicole Cho-Yee
Sam Cox Post Match Interview HERE
Jon Taffel Match Pics HERE
Match Highlights HERE
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The relegation threatened Stones- who had Sam Cox in charge for the first time as interim boss – took the lead midway through the first half with Manny Duku heading home. However, Kevin Maher’s side reacted strongly to the setback with Ralph and Miley both netting to put the visitors in front before a stunning double save from Collin Andeng Ndi made sure of all three points late on. After a quiet start to the game, Blues had penalty shouts waved away just before the half hour mark when Oli Coker went to ground after getting goalside of a defender. But Wealdstone survived the scare and broke the deadlock in the 33rd minute when a right wing corner from Sam Bowen found the head of Duku who scored with a downward header into the left hand side of the net. The shell-shocked Shrimpers hit back and wasted a golden opportunity to score an immediate equaliser when Jack Bridge’s accurate left wing cross found Ralph, only for the defender to head wide of the left post from close range. A relieved Wealdstone replied with Duku having a low 20 yard shot parried away by Blues goalkeeper Andeng Ndi before Dillon De Silva blasted the resulting rebound over the crossbar. A deep right wing cross from Scott-Morriss caused issues for a back-pedalling Dewshurt who could only parry the ball back into the left hand side of the penalty area. Blues wing-back Bridge immediately latched onto the loose ball and his deflected cross was latched onto by Ralph who atoned for his earlier miss by sending a low, left footed shot into the bottom right hand corner of the net. The second half started in worrying fashion with Duku collapsing to the floor off the ball. But, after a spell of treatment, the Wealdstone striker was back on his feet before making way for Sean Adarkwa. Once play resumed, the hosts threatened with Tarryn Allarakhia firing wide of the right post from 20 yards before De Silva had powerful effort, from a similar distance, pushed wide of the right upright by Andeng Ndi. After surviving the scares, Blues striker Danny Waldron headed a fine right wing cross from Scott-Morriss wide of the far post. But, with 64 minute on the clock, the Shrimpers went in front with Miley firing home his first goal of the season. The composed midfielder moved through the centre of the pitch before scoring with a fine 25 yard shot which flew into the bottom left hand corner of the net. Blues immediately responded with their first change of the night as Wes Fonguck replaced Morton in midfield before Dackers came on for Waldron in attack shortly after. After the alterations, Oli Coker saw a 25 yard shot parried out by Dewhurst before Scott-Morriss opting to not shoot from the resulting rebound and saw his chipped cross cleared. However, relegation threatened Wealdstone rallied late on and enjoyed their spell of pressure during nine minutes of added of time. Two minutes into added on time an equaliser seemed certain when the ball landed to Max Kretzchmar six yards from goal. But the Stones substitute saw his shot well saved by Andeng Ndi who then reacted superbly well to also keep out Kretzchmar’s follow up effort in magnificent fashion. However, the hosts continued to threaten and came close to equalizing at the death with Aaron Henry slamming a scorching shot against the right hand side of the crossbar as the Shrimpers hung on to secure all three points and make it 14 games unbeaten. ‘Southend Echo’
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