REPORT | MAIDENHEAD UNITED 3-1 WEALDSTONE
Wealdstone were defeated by Maidenhead United in their last match of the year, at York Road.
A brace from Shawn McCoulsky, along with a goal from Reece Smith, meant that Alex Reid’s finish proved merely consolatory, as Maidenhead came out on top in the Boxing Day clash.
Matt Taylor named an unchanged line-up to the strong side that comfortably beat Dagenham & Redbridge last Saturday.
The Magpies galvanised the first chance of the match in the 7thminute as Smith delivered a dangerous cross into the box, which was diverted on target, but Toby Steward responded with a solid save.
Six minutes later, Maidenhead United had a second sight of goal when Owen Cochrane struck a long-range effort which flew just over the crossbar.
The hosts continued to dominate in the early stages, and nearly took the lead in the 17th minute through Smith, who surged forward and fired from an acute angle, but Steward was equal to his effort.
Moments later, Casey Petit came close to handing his team the lead when he struck from distance, prompting Steward to react with another fine save.
On the 25th minute mark, Alan Devonshire’s men were duly rewarded for their persistence, as McCoulsky was released through on goal, coolly slotting home past Steward to put the Magpies in front.
Wealdstone were then forced into making an early substitution after just half an hour, with Craig Eastmond replacing the injured Enzio Boldewijn.
The remainder of the half was uneventful, with neither team able to register a meaningful effort on goal.
After a goalless first-half, the Stones returned from the interval with added impetus, equalising in the 49th minute as Max Kretzschmar lofted an exquisite ball over the Magpies’ defence, which was dinked home by Reid, for his 11th goal of the season.
However, parity was short-lived, as Maidenhead took the lead once again, three minutes later; Tristan Abrahams seized possession and squared the ball to McCoulsky, who rounded Steward to notch his brace.
Despite going behind again, the Stones reacted positively and could have been back on level terms four minutes later when the ball fell kindly to Anthony Georgiou from a corner, but the defender fired over the crossbar.
As the intensity of the game increased, the Magpies looked like they were going to extend their lead; Abrahams curled a superb effort past Steward, which seemed destined for the top corner, but the striker, was denied by the woodwork, in the 66th minute.
A minute later, the Stones’ fortunes took a further dent as Craig Eastmond was shown a straight red card for a foul on Smith.
Keen bolster their advantage, the Magpies pushed for another goal, and nearly profited in the 76th minute when Kevin Lokko headed on target, but Steward was on hand to preserve the scoreline.
However, the visitors did not have to wait long for their third goal,as the industrious Smith rounded off a slick move in the 81st minute,clinically firing past Steward.
Five minutes later, the Magpies nearly bagged a fourth goal as McCoulsky was well-positioned to seal his hat trick, but Steward recovered with a solid save.
Wealdstone return to action on New Year’s Day Day when they entertain Boston United at Grosvenor Vale, in a 3pm kick-off.
WEALDSTONE XI: Steward (GK), Cook (Woodman 77'), Mariappa, Mundle-Smith, Boldewijn (Eastmond 32'), Wells-Morrison, Cesay, Georgiou, Kretzschmar (Obiero 73'), Ashford, Reid.