REPORT | WEALDSTONE 1-0 AFC FYLDE

Wealdstone earn their first three points of the season in a dominant performance at the Vale, thanks to a goal from Henry Sandat.

The Stones took the lead after 19 minutes when Sandat was on hand to send a looping header into the far corner from a pinpoint Max Kretzschmar assist.

Matt Taylor made four changes to the side that drew with Hartlepool just two days ago. Sandat, Dom Hutchinson, Yacou Traore and Luke Dreher all came into the starting XI.

The visitors were the first to try their luck at goal, just five minutes in, when Nick Haughton looked to send an audacious effort from the half-way into the back of the net, as he managed just over a year ago at the Vale, but this time his effort flew over Archie Matthews' goal.

It was the Stones that looked the stronger side in the first-period and took a deserved lead in the 19th minute when Kretzschmar provided for the second time in two games with an inch perfect cross to Sandat, who guided his header into the far corner.

Taylor's side continued to dominate the half, and with a couple of half-chances going narrowly wide, the Stones would go into the break with just a one goal lead.

With the second period underway, the Stones came out the stronger side once again. They would have found themselves two goals clear had Jack Cook's header looped just under the crossbar, rather than over it.

As Cook's header from a looping cross from Enzio Boldewijn found the back of the net, it looked as though the Stones would then be cruising to three points on the day, but a late flag from the linesman kept the deficit at just one goal for the visitors.

With the Stones in the ascendancy, the surge for a second goal kept growing. Hutchinson was finding himself in good positions and on another he would've found himself on the scoresheet. Two fine saves from Winterbottom denied him from tight angles around the 70 minute mark.

Kallum Cesay was the next player to try his luck, when Anthony Georgiou's switch of play found the on-rushing full-back, but once again a sturdy save from Winterbottom denied him.

With the game in it's dying embers and legs beginning to tire, the Stones were finding their luck with balls over the top. With just two minutes left, Obiero latched onto a forward pass, but dragged his effort narrowly wide with just the keeper to beat.

But there was jubilation at full-time as Taylor's side recorded their first three points of the season. They now prepare for a trip to the West Midlands when they face Solihull Moors on Saturday at 3pm.

WEALDSTONE XI: Matthews (GK), Cesay, Boldewijn, Mariappa, Cook, Hutchinson, Dreher (Miller 60'), Traore (Scott 41'), Kretzschmar (Georgiou 45'), Obiero, Sandat (Dyer 45').

ATTENDANCE: 1325