REPORT | WEALDSTONE 3-2 BRAINTREE TOWN
Updated: Nov 11
Wealdstone bounced back in style to crucially beat fellow relegation battlers Braintree Town 3-2 at Grosvenor Vale.
A brace from Sam Ashford, along with a finish from talisman Alex Reid cancelled out goals from Louie Annesley and Callum Powell to secure a vital three points for the Stones.
Matt Taylor made five changes to the side that were swept aside by Yeovil Town on Saturday. Craig Eastmond was handed his first start of the season, while Christian Scott, Kallum Cesay and Sam Ashford all returned to the starting line-up.
The Iron generated the first chance of the match within four minutes as a deflected strike from Ryan Clampin fell to Jermaine Francis, whose fierce strike flew narrowly over the crossbar.
However, it was the Stones that took the lead on the tenth minute mark when Ashford converted home Anthony Georgiou’s inviting corner from close range.
Wealdstone’s lead was short-lived, as three minutes later, the Iron equalised through Annesley, who headed home a teasing free kick past Sam Howes.
The Stones’ fortunes took a further dent in the 16th minute as Powell latched onto an awful pass and coolly fired home into an empty net.
Despite conceding two goals in quick succession. Taylor’s side were close to levelling three minutes later, but Max Kretzschmar’s powerful free kick was well-held by Lucus Covolan.
In the 25th minute, Wealdstone won another free kick in a dangerous position, but the impressive Georgiou’s rifled effort was deflected wide.
The Stones continued to press for an equaliser, and they were nearly fruitful in the 33rd minute when a pinpoint cross from Ashford found Alex Reid, who nodded just wide of the target.
With ten minutes remaining, Angelo Harrop’s side had the opportunity to extend their lead further when Francis intercepted a poor pass from Scott, but the winger’s driven strike was straight at Howes.
The Iron started the second half brightly, coming close to scoring again in the 49th minute as Clampin flashed the ball across the face of the goal; however Jack Cook produced a vital clearance to deny the oncoming Inih Effiong.
Five minutes later, the Stones were back on level terms as hot-shot Reid pounced in the box to smash home his fourth goal in three games.
Bolstered by the equaliser, Wealdstone assumed the lead again in the 67th minute as Ashford’s deflected shot beat Covolan to notch the striker’s second of the evening.
Ten minutes later, Ashford nearly completed his hat trick as he drilled a low effort towards the bottom corner, but Covolan responded with a superb fingertip save.
At the death, the Iron had the chance to equalise, when Lanrewuju Balogun released Chay Cooper, but the substitute’s shot was straight at Howes.
Wealdstone return to action on Saturday 26th October when they travel to Stonebridge Road Stadium to face Ebbsfleet United, in a 3pm kick-off.
WEALDSTONE XI: Howes, Barrett, Cook, Mundle-Smith, Cesay (Boldewijn 61'), Eastmond (Dyer 78'), Scott, Georgiou (Hutchinson 92'), Kretzschmar (Mariappa 83'), Ashford, Reid.
Attendance: 1163