REPORT | WEALDSTONE 0-3 YORK CITY

Wealdstone faced successive defeats after a tough outing at the LNER Community Stadium.

Malachi Fagan-Walcott smashed the home side ahead on the brink of half-time from a loose corner.

Substitute Josh Stones doubled the advantage with a tap-in after 65 minutes.

Ollie Pearce sealed the deal shortly after with an unstoppable penalty in the 67th minute.

Neil Gibson made two changes to the side that were defeated by Aldershot Town on Tuesday. Alex Dyer came in for Harrison Sohna, whilst the freshly recalled Deon Woodman came straight into the side, replacing Adrian Mariappa.

With an abundance of players unavailable through injury or flu, the Stones manager was only able to name five out of the seven available bench spaces.

York started the game as they meant to go on, keeping the ball firmly in their possession, limiting the Stones to any time on the ball.

Despite their fare share of possession, the hosts strugggled to create many clear cut chances during the first-half. Luca Gunter was on hand to keep the ball out from two early set-piece headers.

Gibson’s side held strong throughout the first period, but their efforts were broken at a crucial point in the game, just one minute before half-time.

A corner bounced around the Stones area, falling straight into the path of Fagan-Walcott, who’s effort smashed home to send his side ahead at the break.

Knowing their best chance of a goal would come through a moment of magic from either of their star forwards, the Stones best chance of the game came through a first-time effort from Alex Reid, who’s effort was deflected narrowly wide, just after half-time.

Just minutes after coming on, substitute Stones provided an instant impact, tapping home after a simple passing move saw the hosts 2-on-1.

Any how of a comeback for the Stones diminished in the 66th minute. A firm challenge from McAvoy sent Junior Luamba flying in the box, earning his side a penalty.

There was no doubts that National League top scorer, Pearce, was going to bury his spot kick and the forward made no mistake smashing it into the top right corner.

The hosts continued to pin the Stones back, probing until the final whistle. Adam Hinselwood’s side thought they had a fourth when Pearce struck the back of the net, but the referee judged the striker to have handballed it, ruling out the goal.

A professional performance from the hosts saw them come away with three points, sending the Stones back into the relegation zone, with eight games remaining.

Next up for the Stones, a season defining fixture at home against Boston United. Tickets are available HERE.

WEALDSTONE: Gunter, Cook, Woodman, McAvoy, Hutchinson (Carayol 62’), Dyer (Brown 89’), Cesay, Georgiou, Kretzschmar, Reid, Walker (Scott 81’).

Unused subs: Baptiste, Omole