REPORT | WEALDSTONE 0-3 YEOVIL TOWN

Wealdstone were comprehensibly beaten by Yeovil Town 3-0 this afternoon at Grosvenor Vale.

Goals from Brett McGavin, Aaron Jarvis and Ciaran McGuckin completed the rout for the play-off pushers, with the Stones failing to score for the seventh time this season.

Matt Taylor made three changes to the side that progressed past Gosport Borough in the FA Cup last Saturday. Alex Dyer returned from international duty, while Adrian Mariappa and Jadyn Mundle-Smith were back from suspension.

A high-tempo start from both teams saw the Stones galvanise the first chance of the match, with Micah Obiero surging forward and striking wide from range.

Wealdstone’s positive play continued, and ten minutes later, Jack Wells-Morrison rifled a fierce shot on target that had to be punched clear by Ollie Wright.

Yeovil Town’s best chance came in the 24th minute, when Aaron Jarvis spun his marker and fired just wide of the target.

A moment later, the home side were close to seizing the initiative as the lively Alex Reid broke into the box, shooting narrowly wide from an acute angle.

However, it was the Glovers that broke the deadlock through McGavin in the 26th minute, with the top scorer heading home past Sam Howes at the back post for his fourth goal of the season.

Two minutes later, Cooper’s men nearly doubled their advantage as McGavin threaded Jarvis through for a one-on-one with Howes, but the Stones’ shot-stopper responded with a vital save.

Just before half-time, Wealdstone had the opportunity to draw level when the ball dropped to Adrian Mariappa from a corner, but the skipper could only fire wide.

The Glovers were quick out of the traps in the second-half, with Dylan Morgan firing past Howes in the 48th minute, but the goal was ruled out for offside.

However, Yeovil Town did not have to wait long to double their advantage, as four minutes later, the impressive Jarvis rose highest to direct Dom Bernard’s cross past Howes with a superb header.

The Stones’ fortunes took a further dent in the 58th minute as the Glovers bagged their third goal of the afternoon, with McGuckin poking the ball home from close range to put the visitors into a commanding position.

Taylor rang in wholesale changes, bringing on five fresh players, with the hope of trying to salvage something from this game.

Bolstered by these changes, the Stones had the chance to reduce the deficit in the 73rd minute when Henry Sandat was released through on goal, but the substitute blazed his effort over the bar.

With ten minutes remaining, Wealdstone had another bite of the cherry, with Jack Cook’s headed effort crucially blocked by Jake Wannell.

The Glovers nearly snatched a fourth at the death, but Howes produced an excellent save to deny former Stone, Sonny Blu Lo-Everton.

Wealdstone return to action on Wednesday evening, when they entertain Braintree Town at Grosvenor Vale, in a 7.45pm kick-off. Tickets for this fixture have been reduced to just £5 with all proceeds donated to The Wealdstone FC Foundation to support their work in the community. Tickets can be purcahsed HERE.

WEALDSTONE: Howes (GK), Barrett, Cook, Mariappa (Georgiou 60’), Mundle-Smith, Boldewijn (Thorpe 60’), Dyer (Eastmond 60’), Wells-Morrison, Obiero (Ashford 69’), Kretzschmar (Sandat 69’), Reid.

Attendance: 1,510