WEALDSTONE PREVIEW
Final Opportunity For Concord Selection
A week away from the National League South opener, Saturday's game represents the last chance for the players to get themselves on the team sheet for day one proper. Between the sticks Slav Huk and new signing Lee Worgan have played an equal number of minutes so far as competition for the #1 jersey continues, the share of the responsibility again serving to bring out the best form in one another and manager Marc White will face a tricky decision as to who get's the nod for next weekend. Bobby-Joe Taylor has certainly hit the ground running following his arrival at the club, but with he and fellow left sided defender Callum Kennedy missing out through injuries in the last couple of games and the likes of Kane Wills and Dan Gallagher deputising, it will be interesting to see if Marc White tries to lock in his defence ahead of next weekend or continues weighing up his options. Wes Fogden has had an excellent pre-season, and after a slightly halted start to Wanderers life fans have begun to see what Josh Taylor is all about in the recent run of games on the road. Competition for places out wide remains red hot, as it does at the top end of the pitch, where Marc White will have a final opportunity with tomorrow's game to see which duo will lead the line.
Stones Rocked, But Ready To Roll Again
All clubs across the footballing world will of course be more than eager to make up for lost time following on from the unprecedented nature of last campaign, and the sides who were promoted and stepping up a division twelve months ago will certainly be anxious to get things under way. For Wealdstone, the season was to mark their first appearance in non-league's top flight since the late 80's, and despite the difficult circumstances they made a competitive start to the campaign before a more turbulent run of form and the departure of manager Dean Brennan in February. Stuck down the lower reaches of the division yet ultimately safe from relegation, the craving for a fresh start and new season will have started kicking in immediately. Previously the assistant manager to Brennan, Stuart Maynard is now in the hot seat, and has overseen a pre-season of rebuilding as key players from the last couple of seasons like Michael Efete, Danny Green and Ross Layafette have moved on. Maynard has looked to replace directly with National League Prem experience though, recruiting versatile defender Jack Cook from Woking, winger Rhys Browne returning to the club having been at Yeovil, Aldershot and most recently Sutton United, plus utility man Matt Buse and forward Joshua Umerah both arriving from Torquay United. Craig Fasanmade joins the club permanently having 'made' the most of his brief loan spell at the end of last term from Hungerford Town. Maynard has acknowledged the rebuilding is ongoing, looking to still add a few more in the coming weeks, and Saturday's contest will no doubt play a key part in those preparations.
Both Sides Unbeaten In Pre-Season Heading Into Final Test
Wanderers boss Marc White has frequently referred to pre-season being a difficult exercise to navigate and that there's often scenario's where you're 'damned if you do, damned if you don't'. And whilst the manager has played down the results aspect, the desire to win every game and establish good habits early on will of course be pleasing, and with the goals coming from all over the pitch and just three conceded at the other end, Wanderers can reflect on a close season well done so far. The step up in quality of opposition Saturday serves as a good measure to sign off with, the final push to get fitness levels balanced across the squad, and hope to keep the injuries down to a minimum at this final hurdle. 'The Stones' have built up nicely in pre-season, drawing with St. Albans and Bedford Town in their opening games, before securing a 1-4 victory at Chesham United and drawing 1-1 with League Two's Colchester United last weekend.
#Throwback The side's last met in an eventful encounter at Grosvenor Vale back in February 2020. The would-be champions of the division securing a 3-1 win on the day, Moses Emmanuel with the opener and Dennon Lewis at the double, as Giuseppe Sole bagged a consolation goal for Wanderers. Both sides were reduced to 10-men, 'Stones Connor Smith going at the end of the first half, Ed Harris receiving his marching orders late in the second.
Wanderers Pre-Season At A Glance:
Home vs Kingstonian (1-0) Home vs Horsham (2-1) Home vs Leatherhead (4-0) Home vs Horley Town (3-0)
Away vs Chorley (0-2)
Away vs Baffins Milton Rovers (0-7)
Away vs Bognor Regis Town (1-3) Away vs South Park (1-3)
Pre-Season Top Scorers:
Prior - 6
Fogden - 5
Rutherford - 2 Kealy - 2
Briggs - 2