Wealdstone 1 – 0 Nottingham Forest U21’s
Wealdstone1 - 0
Nottingham Forest
Wealdstone edged past Nottingham Forest U21’s in the National League Cup with Amaru Kaunda’s second-half header proving decisive as the Stones secured a narrow 1-0 victory at The Vale on Tuesday evening.
With one eye on squad rotation, Gary Waddock made nine changes to his side that triumphed Worthing in the FA Cup fourth qualifying round last Saturday as Baptiste, Cook, Joe Newton, Kadji, Olomola, Francis-Clarke, Uchenna, Tracey and Tyrell Newton returned to Wealdstone’s starting XI.
After a cagey start, Wealdstone kicked into gear on the 10-minute mark as Tyrelle Newton slipped a swift pass to a waiting Jack Cook on the right edge of the box. The Stones skipper smashed a thunderous strike on target, but Aaron Bott punched away the danger.
The Stones continued on the front foot as Shilow Tracey played through a pouncing Fela Olomola in the centre of the box who unleashed a strike that soared over the crossbar.
Nottingham Forest’s first real opportunity of the contest came in the 35th minute as Archie Whitehall stepped up for a free kick from just outside the box and parried a low ball that trickled goalwards, but Baptiste went down to collect with relative ease.
HALF TIME: WEALDSTONE 0-0 NOTTINGHAM FOREST U21
The visitors returned from the interval with intent as Faud Smith danced his way past Wealdstone’s backline before squaring the ball to Kalum Thompson on the left side of the box. The reds attacker pulled the trigger, but his effort flashed across the face of goal and narrowly wide of the far post.
Five minutes later, Wealdstone posed a threat at the other end of the pitch as Tyrelle Newton darted down the left flank and delivered a pinpoint cross to Kaunda; however, the Stones striker chested the ball straight into the palms of Bott.
The Stones finally broke the deadlock in the 66th minute as Joe Newton skipped down the left wing before chipping a looping cross to the back post, where Kaunda rose highest to head home and hand Wealdstone the lead.
Minutes later, in an attempt to grab an equaliser, Kalum Thompson tussled through the box and unleashed a low strike that looked destined for the bottom left corner, but Jamie Searle made a diving save to preserve his clean sheet.
Joe Newton threatened once again in the 75th minute, driving down the left flank before delivering a teasing ball into the box. His cross found Carmichael Uchenna at the back post, but the Stones attacker could only send his composed effort sailing over Bott’s crossbar.
As the clock ticked towards 90 minutes, Milton Oni attempted to double Wealdstone’s advantage as he surged forward through on goal, but Forest’s defence made a crunching challenge to deny Wealdstone a second and confirm a narrow victory for the Stones.
FULL TIME: WEALDSTONE 1-0 NOTTINGHAM FOREST U21’s.
The Stones return to Enterprise National League action this Saturday 24th October as they travel to Hampshire to face Aldershot Town in a 3 o’clock kick-off.
Wealdstone: Baptiste (Searle 46’), Cook, J. Newton, Conroy (Campbell 46’), Kadji, Olomola (Kaunda 59’), Francis-Clarke, Henry (Oni 46’), Uchenna, Tracey (Atem 59’) and T. Newton.
Subs not used: Pavic and Fernandes.
Match Report:
Gary Waddock Post Match Interview HERE
Jon Taffel Match Pics HERE
Match Highlights:
WFC HERE
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