ANDREWS ENSURES A HEADACHE FOR STONES
A CORIE Andrews double twice pegged back Wealdstone to secure a vital point on the road for improving Aldershot at The Vale.
Talisman Andrews struck a second half brace to earn a point for Danny Searle’s men after Ira Jackson and a fifth of the season for Josh Umerah had twice put the Stones in the ascendancy.
The point continues Aldershot’s recovery after the midweek victory at Southend United ended a run of five straight defeats to open their season.
Searle said: “We created more than enough chances to take the three points,” while captain Lewis Kinsella tweeted: “Four points away from home is a massive improvement let’s keep working together And keep building and hopefully the points will keep coming.
“Hard work and togetherness is key.”
Andrews looked a threat right from the off, forcing home keeper George Wickens into an early fine save but it was the Stones whop broke the deadlock on 26 minutes.
The influential Medy Elito slid the ball through to Dennon Lewis, who crossed towards the far post for Jackson to pounce and tap home on his first start for the Stones.
Mo Bettamer went close to an equaliser on 31 minutes, firing a powerful effort from a free-kick, but Wickens produced a solid save to deny the forward.
And the Stones stopper was called upon again moments later to keep out Andrews’ effort with his fingertips.
Aldershot continued where they left off into the second half and within three minutes they got their just rewards – a clever free-kick from Kinsella finding Andrews at the back post and he smashed the ball past Wickens.
Buoyed by the goal, the away side continued to probe for another and went close again on 54 minutes when Bettamer’s free-kick tested Wickens, but the shot-stopper was able to gather.
But, against the run of play, it was the Stomnes who regained the lead on 62 minutes – Jack Cawley’s long throw headed home by top scorer Umerah.
But Wealdstone’s joy was short lived, as seven minutes later, a pinpoint ball from Toby Edser was coolly slotted home by Andrews to restore parity.
Bettamer, Harris and sub Wassim Aouachria all drew fine saves from Wickens and three minutes into stoppage time, Aldershot nearly stole three points when Kinsella picked out Kodi Lyons-Foster, but his header flew just over the crossbar.
Wealdstone assistant boss Matt Saunders said: “It was a scrappy game and was probably us at our worst. We didn’t dominate the ball as we have been, which turned the game into a scrap. You have to respect the point in this league as no game is easy.”