REPORT | WEALDSTONE 0-3 BARNET

Wealdstone were emphatically beaten by arch-rivals Barnet in front of a bumper derby crowd at Grosvenor Vale.  

A scintillating second-half display propelled the Bees to the top of the National League, as a penalty from Mark Shelton, along with goals from Callum Stead and Nicke Kabamba rounded off a dominant performance.

The Stones, only one point above Ebbsfleet at the foot of the table, were consigned to their sixth defeat of the season, and are yet to win a home game.

Matt Taylor made five changes to the side that drew with Forest Green Rovers last Saturday. Former goalkeeper and Leyton Orient loanee, Sam Howes, started between the sticks, Callum McFarlane lead the line, Alex Dyer and Jack Wells-Morrison returned in midfield and Elliot Thorpe was handed his first start.

Wealdstone made a promising start, producing the first effort of the match in the 4th minute, with Micah Obiero firing wide for the hosts.

The lively Obiero popped up again with another strike on the 10thminute mark, but the Bees’ defence was quick to block the shot.

The early exchanges proceeded in a cagey manner as both sides looked to establish some rhythm in this eagerly-anticipated grudge match.

Dean Brennan’s men were dealt a big blow as hot-shot and former Stone, Rhys Brown, was forced off injured after just 18 minutes, with Stead replacing the striker.

Midway through the first-half, the visitors looked like they were going to assume the lead when the talented Harry Chapman produced a moment of brilliance to put himself one-on-one with Howes, but the Leyton Orient loanee shot-stopper produced a vital save.

The Bees continued to ramp up pressure, nearly breaking the deadlock in the 37th minute, with Shelton’s fierce strike from just inside the box having to be deflected over the crossbar by Alex Dyer.

Barnet upped the ante further, and were agonisingly close to scoring moments later, but Mason Barrett produced a crucial goal-line clearance to preserve the score-line.

Against the run of play, the Stones nearly seized the initiative on a quick counterattack, however Obiero’s lofted effort landed just wide of the post.

The Bees returned from the interval with the same attacking vein as Shelton fired an audacious strike from the kick-off that was tipped over the bar by Howes.

Wealdstone also resumed from the break with added impetus, nearly profiting from a melee in the area, but former Stone Nik Tavares thwarted Callum McFarlane with some astute defending.

The visitors’ dominance was rewarded in the 61st minute when Kallum Cesay conceded a penalty, with Shelton duly stepping up to coolly slot past Howes from 12-yards.

Five minutes later, the Bees were in complete control, as substitute Stead clinically fired home from close-range to double his team’s advantage.

As the contest entered the latter stages, the Stones were tantalisingly close to reducing the deficit when McFarlane headed on target at the far post, only to be denied by the woodwork.

Despite being in complete control, Barnet were relentless in their pursuit of a third goal, and substitute Kabamba marked his comeback from injury by slotting past Howes in the 96th minute.

Wealdstone return to action on Tuesday evening, when they entertain Southend United at Grosvenor Vale, in a 7.45pm kick-off.

Wealdstone: Howes, Barrett, Cook (Mundle-Smith 70), Mariappa,Cesay (Ashford 64); Thorpe, Dyer (Scott 76), Wells-Morrison,Obiero (Hutchinson 64), McFarlane, Boldewijn.

Subs not used: Adams, Georgiou, Sandat. 

Attendance: 2,590 (575 away fans)