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REPORT | WEALDSTONE 3-3 EASTLEIGH

Nicole Cho-Yee



Wealdstone produced a scintillating comeback to share the spoils with play-off hopefuls Eastleigh, at Grosvenor Vale.

 

Kelvin Davis’ Spitfires were in cruise control by half-time, with a brace from Ludwig Francillette and a goal from Tyrese Shade.

 

However, a spirited second-half display from the Stones saw Alex Reid net twice, along with Tyler Walker, to complete an impressive comeback.

 

Eastleigh made the perfect start, taking the lead in just the second minute of the match, as Francillette pounced on a long throw from Paul McCallum to poke home past Luca Gunter.

 

Francillette then nearly doubled the visitors’ advantage in the 11th minute when his half-volley from range flew just over the crossbar.

 

As the Stones settled into the rhythm of the game, talisman Reid came close to levelling when he rifled a shot from an acute angle in the 20th minute, but Joe McDonnell was equal to his effort.

 

Moments later, McDonnell came to the rescue again for the Spitfires, denying Max Kretzschmar’s powerful header at the back post.

 

The visitors looked like they were going to increase their further in the 33rd minute when the dangerous Tyrese Shade surged to the edge of the box and unleashed a fierce strike, but Gunter parried the ball away to safety.

 

Davis’ side did not have to wait long for a second goal; Francillette reacted quickest in the 36th minute to prod home past Gunter from close range for his brace.

 

With five minutes of the first-half remaining, Wealdstone’s misery was compounded when Shade executed a perfect lob over Gunter to send his team into the break three goals to the good.

 

The Stones returned from the interval with added impetus, with substitute Dom Hutchinson, and Micah Obiero both firing close from distance.

 

Wealdstone’s new signing Tyler Walker was introduced in the 59th minute and nearly made an instant impact, firing a shot towards the top corner that drew a smart save from McDonnell.

 

Three minutes later, the home side’s other debutant, Mustapha Carayol, nearly made a fairytale entrance, drilling a free-kick from 40 yards that flew just wide.

 

It was no surprise when the Stones’ fresh blood combined to pull a goal back in the 69th minute, with Walker latching onto Carayol’s teasing cross to convert past McDonnell at the far post.

 

Wealdstone duly reduced the deficit further in the 75th minute when Reid stepped up from the penalty spot to clinically despatch home past McDonnell after a handball.

 

With three minutes of regulation time remaining, the mighty Stones completed their comeback in style as Walker squared to Reid, who tapped home to complete his brace and restore parity.

 

Walker then had the chance to seal all three points at the death, but the striker agonisingly fired straight at McDonnell.


WEALDSTONE: Gunter, Cook, Mariappa (Dyer 45'), McAvoy (Ashford 86'), Boldewijn, Sohna (Hutchinson 45'), Grant, Randall (Carayol 60'), Kretzschmar, Reid, Obiero (Walker 60').


Attendance: 1293

 

 
 
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