Forest Green Rovers drew in an end-to-end affair at The New Lawn.
Despite dominating the majority of the game, Rovers were unable to come out on top.
Wealdstone took the lead midway through the first half with a clever move that saw Joe Newton play Fejiri Okenabirhie into the six-yard box, whose shot across goal couldn’t be saved by Ethan Ross.
Ten minutes later, FGR equalised through Tate Campbell; an elegant run by Sean Etaluku saw him beat two opposition players and put the ball into a busy box; his cross found the number six in the middle of the penalty area, who duly converted.
The second half was dominated by the Rovers, but no winner could be found.
The home side had to settle for a point, for the second game running.
First half:
It was a lively start on a dark evening at GL6 as both Forest Green and Wealdstone had opportunities early on.
Striker Jose Marquez cleverly teed up Etaluku, as his shot on goal was blocked and sent over the bar.
Up the other end of the pitch, the opposition had a chance through Newton, whose shot from inside the box was put wide.
After a very even twenty minutes, the first shot on target went to the Greater London side; a nice pattern of play saw the ball fall to the opposition left-back once again, but Ross was equal to his effort.
Just moments later, the Wealdstone fullback saw another opportunity, this time one-on-one with the FGR keeper; however, the shot was dragged past the post.
The away side continued to chip at the Rovers defence and finally broke through after a ball from the middle of the park landed at Newton's feet in space; with time to think, he played a tricky pass to wideman Okenabirhie, whose shot from just inside the six-yard box flew past the Forest Green goalkeeper to make it 1-0.
The goal for Wealdstone sparked FGR into life!
With ten minutes to half-time, home debutant Bryan Ifeanyi played a lovely ball across goal, beating keeper Dante Baptiste; however, no one was there to turn the opportunity into an equaliser.
Etaluku created a similar opportunity minutes later, beating two defenders out wide and putting the ball into a packed box; his ball found Campbell, who calmly put the ball into the back of the net to level the score.
Forest Green, now in their groove, continued to create more brilliant opportunities.
Defender Fil Mabete saw his long-range effort saved by Baptiste; Etaluku was unable to convert the rebound.
Seconds later, McAllister hit the post with an absolute rocket from outside the box.
The Greens will have felt hard done by not having gone into the break with the lead.
Half-time Forest Green Rovers 1-1 Wealdstone
Second half:
The visitors started the second half on top; however, Forest Green had a great chance not long after the break.
McAllister’s shot from distance was parried by the away keeper; Omari Patrick was first to react, but couldn’t put the ball into the net.
Another skilful move from Rovers not long after saw substitute Nick Haughton dance into the penalty area, but a very well-timed tackle made sure he couldn’t get his shot away.
After twenty minutes of intense pressure and shots from Patrick and Marquez, Rovers continued to build momentum, but the back of the net evaded them.
Despite the Gloucestershire club being on top, Wealdstone created a golden opportunity with just a few minutes to go.
Dylan Kadji found himself in space and fired a powerful shot from the centre of the box, but a wonder save from Ross denied the midfielder a potentially game-winning goal.
The hosts continued to look for the winner and three points but the clock was against them.
We saw a glorious chance in the dying embers from Nick Haughton, just inches away from a winner, but Baptiste pulled off a fantastic save to deny the FGR sub.
It was a frustrating evening for Rovers; clear-cut chances were made, but the ball just didn’t find the back of the net in the second half.
A tough draw to take for the home team, but one to build on.
The lads will have a bit of a well-earned rest now before we host Hartlepool on 10th October - Get your tickets here!
Full-time: Forest Green Rovers 1-1 Wealdstone
Line-ups:
Forest Green Rovers: Ross, Kuemo (Pemberton), Ajayi, Mabatete, Abrefa, Campbell, Gbadehan (Haughton), Ifeanyi (Patrick), Etaluku, McAllister, Marquez
Subs not used: McNicholas, Kircough, Fearon, Walsh
Wealdstone: Baptiste, Newton, Kanu (Barrett) (Cook), Francis-Clarke, McAvoy, Wells-Morrison, Henry, Okenabirhie (Olomola), Kadji, Chesters (Maher)
Subs not used: Johnson, Waweru, Uchenna
Attendance: 1157 (49 away)
