Match Preview: Wealdstone FC v AFC Fylde(National League)19/08/23
The Stones were formed at the start of a new era in the 1899-1900 season. However, with many name changes in the early eras the club was disbanded in 1906 due to a lack of interest from players and supporters. The Club moved leagues after WW1 moving to the Athenian league. During this period they won the middlesex senior cup and charity cup, whilst also holding the record for the highest draw in the FA Cup drawing 7-7 with Dulwich Hamlet. Continuing in the Athenian league until after WW2, Wealdstone also claimed another big place in history with being the first football team to be shown live on tv with their FA Cup tie against Barnet. In the late 50s and early 60s the Stones gained success once again in the Middlesex senior cup as well as the Athenian league. The Club then moved from league to league before turning professional in 1971. 2 years later they were promoted to the Isthmian Premier division proving the change worked. In the year 1980 Wealdston were founding members of the Alliance Premier League which was essentially the top tier of non-league. After a few yoyo years, the Stones settled down and in 1985 did the unthinkable, winning the alliance league and the FA Trophy in the same season. However promotion to the football league was not introduced until 2 years later. This was the start of a decline for the Stones and relegations came thick and fast as well as their ground being condemned and being forced to ground share with local clubs. In 1994 the club was denied promotion due to the ground not being up to standard. In 2004 the Stones were promoted back to the Isthmian Premier division but the issue about the ground continued. In 2008 they moved to their current ground, Grosvenor Vale. The Clubs first 4 seasons at the ground achieved no success until 2012 when they reached the playoff semi-finals as well as the FA Trophy semi-final. In 2013 the club gained promotion to the Conference South and remained there until 2019-20 when the club got promoted back to the national league. In the meantime manager of 22 years Gordon Bartlett stepped down. In their first few years at the National League the club survived comfortably and will be looking to progress on previous mid table finishes.
Recent form:
The Coasters come into their first ever meeting with the stones after achieving their first win against Kidderminster Harriers on Tuesday night. Goals from Luke Charman and Luke Conlan gave the Coasters all 3 points in a 2-1 win. Wealdstone managed to earn a point on Tuesday night away to Bromley FC. A goal from Tavhon Campbell opened the scoring however the Stones couldn’t quite hang on conceding in the 70th minute. Wealdstone are still unbeaten at the moment drawing 2 and winning once in their opening 3 games so will be a tough outfit to come up against.
The Manager: Stuart Maynard
Maynard started off his career at Championship side Watford before swiftly moving himself into lower league football. He made a name for himself at the likes of Aylesbury United and Hitchin Town whilst also having a brief playing spell for Wealdstone. Maynard soon stepped into the coaching box being assistant to current Barnet manager Dean Brennan at Hemel Hempstead. They guided Hemel to a title and also the National League South playoffs in 2017-18. The pair then moved on to National League South side Billericay Town however this lasted all of 4 months with demanding owner Glenn Tamplin sacking the pair. However one month later the pair of them were both back on the touchline this time to Isthmian Premier division side Kingstonian. This spell lasted even shorter than Billericay with it only lasting 5 games due to disputes over players and the club director. The pair once again then moved on and joined Wealdstone. In their first season at the club, they guided them to the National League albeit via a shorter season due to Covid 19. With their first season at National League level for 35 years things looked on the up for the Stones. However manager Dean Brennan left the club in February and Maynard took the hot seat. The club finished 19th just surviving relegation but due to no sides being promoted into the National League that season it wouldn't have mattered anyways. Since then Wealdstone have progressed season on season finishing 16th and then 13th last season proving things are on the up for Maynard and Wealdstone, could a playoff finish be on the cards.
Key Players:
Charlie Barker- The Rotherham born defender seems to have found a home at Wealdstone after impressing in loans in the past Barker made the move permanent in the summer. Starting in all games so far this season Barker seems like mr reliable at the back which can be seen with his man of the match performance against Eastleigh.
Max Kretzschmar- A familiar face to fans of the national league, famously for his influence on the rise of Woking FC. A midfielder with the eye for goal Kretzschmar definitely knows what he’s doing in the middle of the park and will cause a handful for the Coasters midfield.
Olufela Olomola- Starting his career off at Arsenal, Olomola hasn’t quite hit the heights which were once expected. However, notching 10 times last season in all competitions, Olomola will be looking to further that tally this season. A traditional number 9 who causes a handful Olomola could be a dark horse for golden boot.
Previous meetings:
This is the first meeting between the 2 sides, so history will be made this saturday.
Opposition form:
The Stones came into the season on the back off 3 straight losses in pre-season albeit to higher opposition but that is something that could have worried Stuart Maynard when playing York on the opening day. However fear not as the Stones started off with all 3 points which was backed up by 2 draws against Eastleigh and Bromley. A split pre-season in terms of results with 3 wins and losses and one draw, Wealdstone will be hard to predict this season.
