REPORT | ALDERSHOT TOWN 0-2 WEALDSTONE

Wealdstone produced an excellent performance to defeat Aldershot Town 2-0 at The EBB Stadium, bolstering their league position.

A first-half penalty from Alex Reid, alongside a late goal from Max Kretzschmar ensured that the Stones secured a valuable three points towards safety.

Matt Taylor made two changes to the side that historically knocked Grimsby Town out of the FA Cup last Saturday, setting up a tie with League One Wycombe Wanderers in the Second Round.

Jack Wells-Morrison returned to the starting line-up, along with Deon Woodman, who was recalled from his loan spell with St Alban’s City.

The Stones’ first sight of goal came in the 12th minute through Kretzschmar, who broke through on goal, but Dan Ellison produced a vital tackle to thwart the number ten.

Taylor was forced to make an early substitute in the 21st minute when injured goalkeeper Sam Howes had to be replaced by Jacob Adams.

End-to-end action ensued during the next ten minutes, however neither side was able to capitalise and seize the initiative in the contest.

The Shots then conjured their best chance of the half as Josh Barrett rifled a fierce strike from the left-hand side of the area, which flew narrowly wide.

With three minutes of the first-half remaining, Barrett was presented with another opportunity to fire his team ahead, but the forward curled his effort wide again.

On the 45th minute mark, the Stones won a penalty when Christian Maghoma was adjudged to have fouled Reid in the box.

The talisman duly stepped up to confidently convert past former Stone Marcus Dewhurst and notch his seventh goal of the season.

Tommy Widdrington’s side were close to levelling two minutes after the restart, as danger-man Barrett’s free-kick from the edge of the box flew just over the crossbar.

Wealdstone had the opportunity to double their advantage in the 75th minute when Kretzschmar volleyed first-time from a teasing cross, but Dewhurst responded with a crucial save.

As the match entered the final ten minutes, the Shots were reduced to ten-men as skipper Ellison received his second yellow card and was sent his marching orders.

Aldershot Town’s fortunes took a further dent in the 90th minute when Aaron Jones was also shown a second yellow card, reducing the hosts to nine-men.

The Stones profited instantly from the Shots’ numerical disadvantage as the industrious Kretzschmar intercepted a poor defensive pass and coolly slotted past Dewhurst to round off an impressive afternoon for Taylor’s men.

Wealdstone will hope to make it three consecutive wins as they return to action next Saturday 16th November, when they entertain Rochdale at Grosvenor Vale, in a 3pm kick-off.

WEALDSTONE: Howes (Adams 22'), Cook, Mariappa, Woodman (Thorpe 63'), Boldewijn, Wells-Morrison, Cesay, Georgiou, Kretzschmar (Dyer 92'), Ashford, Reid.

Attendance: 3,156 (204 away)