REPORT | WEALDSTONE 0-2 YORK CITY
Updated: Nov 11
Wealdstone were defeated by a dominant York City side at Grosvenor Vale, as Matt Taylor’s third loss at home from four games consigned his side to the relegation zone.
An early moment of brilliance from Ashley Nathaniel-George put the Minstermen ahead, with Ollie Pearce wrapping up three points through a second-half strike.
Taylor made three changes to the side that drew with Solihull Moors last Saturday, with Mason Barrett and Sam Ashford returning to the starting line-up, while Jack Well-Morrison was handed his first start.
The Minstermen made the perfect start, taking the lead in emphatic fashion as Ashley Nathaniel-George cut inside from the left-wing to rifle a cracking strike from distance into the top corner past Archie Matthews, on the 12th minute mark.
York City continued in the ascendancy and looked to double their advantage five minutes later, but Callum Howe’s header from Dan Batty’s delivery was just wide of the near post.
Wealdstone had the opportunity to equalise in the 20th minute as Mason Barrett rose highest to meet Jack Wells-Morrison’s corner, but his effort was straight at Rory Watson.
The Stones began to find rhythm and edge their way back into the contest, with Dom Hutchinson and Barrett flashing dangerous balls across the face of the goal midway through the first-half, but the Stones were unable to capitalise.
In the 32nd minute, the visitors came close to extending their lead when Batty hit a fierce strike from range, which whistled narrowly over the crossbar.
Moments later, the Stones looked like they had levelled through in-form Micah Obiero, who beat Watson in a one-on-one and coolly slotted home, but the linesman flagged for offside.
One minute before the stroke of half-time, substitute Malachi Fagan-Walcott was agonisingly close to putting his team into a commanding position going into the break, but his bullet header narrowly cleared the bar.
Hinshelwood’s men had another bite of the cherry in the fifth minute of stoppage time when Batty found Tyrese Sinclair with a long ball into the area, but the midfielder’s effort was easily claimed by Matthews.
The introduction of Henry Sandat for Luke Dreher at interval nearly proved instantly fruitful as the striker drilled a powerful strike from range that fizzed just wide of the far post.
York City were back in control in the 52nd minute as the industrious Pearce latched onto the ball and slotted home past Matthews to double his team’s lead and notch his third goal of the season.
As the second-half progressed, the intensity of the match became increased as Wealdstone frantically looked to reduce the deficit.
With half an hour remaining, Callum McFarlane nearly provided a moment of incisiveness, prodding the ball towards goal from close range; however, Watson responded with an outstanding reflex save to deny the substitute.
Enzio Boldewijn was next to test Watson, curling a low strike from outside the area, which had to be palmed away by the York City shot-stopper.
The Stones continued to rally for a goal to forge their way back into the match, with Obiero firing from the edge of the box, but once again, Watson was equal to his effort.
Two minutes later, the Minstermen were close to putting the result beyond doubt when Howe powered a header on target, with only the woodwork preventing the skipper from scoring.
With end-to-end action ensuing in the final ten minutes, the visitors had the chance to score a third, but Lenell John-Lewis dragged his shot just wide of the far post.
Wealdstone return to action on Tuesday evening, when they travel to the Laithwaite Community Stadium to face Woking, in a 7.45pm kick-off.
WEALDSTONE XI: Matthews (GK), Barrett, Cook, Mariappa (C), Cesay, Dreher (Sandat 46'), Wells-Morrison, Hutchinson, Boldewijn, Obiero, Ashford (McFarlane 40').
Subs not used: Adams, Scott.
ATTENDANCE: 1904