Team: First-Half – Taylor, Friel, Street, Akindileni, Larkeche, Dyke, O’Brien, Trujillo, Brunson, Dillon, Sutton
Team: Second-Half – Fittall, Putman, Wilkie, Akindileni, Esquerdinha, Wiles, Neill, Dyke, Kennedy, Wright, Scarlett
After picking up a match programme, a small quantity of team sheets later became available, and I managed to have a quick chat with Gary Waddock just before kick-off.
On a hot evening at the Vale, a swift Rangers breakaway in the opening minutes resulted in the ball being belted over the crossbar.
Then, after the ball had come back to Kalen Brunson, his side-footed attempt lacked power.
For the Stones, after an initial shot was blocked, Kasey Taylor successfully palmed-away the follow-up.
At the other end, following a foul on Kalen Brunson, Ziyad Larkeche’s free kick from around 25 yards drifted just wide of the target.
Rocco Friel’s dangerous cross into the box just evaded Kalen Brunson’s attempt to connect with the ball.
Ashley Trujillo went through a couple of opponents before being impeded 20-odd yards from goal. The resulting free kick ended up in the keeper’s gloves.
The hosts really should have taken the lead in the 33rd minute when an unmarked Jack Cook headed over from a corner.
Wealdstone took the lead five minutes or so before the interval after Joe Newton was brought down in the box. Olufela Olomola stepped up and his spot-kick sent the R’s keeper the wrong way. Half-time: 0-1.
Esquerdinha put the R’s level a few minutes into the second-half, knocking the ball into the corner after being put through.
Rangers almost took the lead when the keeper managed to stick out a leg to deny Kaleb Dyke. That was achieved shortly after, courtesy of Fraser Neill’s low strike from close range.
The Stones’ No.9 spectacularly volleyed a cross, that crashed off the crossbar.
Wealdstone equalised seconds later when their unmarked No.9 nodded in a cross from the left.
On 76 minutes, the Stones’ trialist keeper did well to stop a shot with his legs, but the ball ended up in the net after a defender had tried to clear it to safety.
The R’s went further ahead in the 81st minute following a challenge in the box, and Mr Richardson, without hesitation awarded a penalty.
Josh Wright took a few steps before placing his spot-kick wide of the keeper to complete the scoring.
A well-deserved win for the R’s, against a Stones side that included mainly trialists in the second-half.
Good luck to Gary Waddock and his team for the season ahead.
Steve Russell
(Thanks to Karen Hampshire for the above photo)