REPORT | BARNET 1-1 WEALDSTONE

Wealdstone produced a scintillating second-half performance to share the spoils with league leaders Barnet at The Hive.

A first-half goal from Adebola Oluwo was cancelled out by a late strike from Harrison Sohna to earn a deserved point for the Stones on derby day.

Neil Gibson made two changes to the side that beat third place Forest Green Rovers last week, with skipper Adrian Mariappa and Dom Hutchinson returning to the starting line-up for the Stones.

Barnet started on the front-foot, with Reece Browne volleying on target within five minutes of kick-off, but Dante Baptiste responded with a solid save to deny the former Stone.

The Bees dominated the early stages, galvanising another chance a minute later through Callum Stead, who could only direct his header over the crossbar.

The hosts had another bite of the cherry in the tenth minute, with captain Anthony Hartigan firing from range, but Baptiste was equal to the effort.

Ryan Glover was next to come close to scoring for Barnet, striking his effort wide of the post from inside the box.

Wealdstone were then forced into an early change, as Micah Obiero replaced an injured Tyler Walker, in the 26th minute.

Kallum Cesay then produced a moment of magic with some outstanding dribbling to break down the right wing, but his resultant cross floated into the hands of Owen Evans for a comfortable save.

As the first-half progressed, the Bees continued to dictate proceedings and it was no surprise that they broke the deadlock in the 31st minute, with Oluwo converting Hartigan’s free-kick past Baptiste with a towering header at the far post.

Barnet were also forced into an early substitution in the 39th minute, with another former Stone, Jerome Okimo, replacing the injured Myles Kenlock.

One minute before the stroke of half-time, the home side had the ball in the back of the net again, but the goal was disallowed by the referee due to a foul.

Wealdstone returned from the interval with added impetus and nearly scored within three minutes of the restart as Hutchinson surged down the right-hand side, drilling a teasing ball across the box that just evaded the strikers.

The Stones came near to equalising again in the 54th minute, with Evans pulling off a brilliant save to deny Enzio Boldewijn’s fierce strike.

With half an hour remaining, Gibson’s side were agonisingly close to drawing level through efforts from Cesay and Max Kretzschmar, but Evans responded with two successive wonder saves to preserve the scoreline.

Down the opposing end, the Bees looked like they had doubled their advantage through Browne from close range, but Baptiste was on hand to thwart the danger.

Barnet continued to probe for a second goal and they were nearly fruitful in the 70th minute as goalscorer Oluwo latched onto Hartigan’s delivery, firing just wide at the back post.

After an excellent second-half performance, Wealdstone deservedly equalised in the 80th minute, with substitute Sohna making an instant impact to clinically rifle a rebound past Evans.

With six additional minutes, the Bees went for broke, and Harry Chapman cut inside and struck a powerful effort that was smartly saved by Baptiste.

Despite the hosts’ late rally for a winner, the Stones held firm to secure a vital point towards their fight for survival.

The Stones return to action on Good Friday when they travel to The Jakemans Community Stadium to face Boston United in a 3pm kick-off.