STONES ROLLING INTO THE QUARTERS

DAVID NOBLE spoke of his belief after his first win as Wealdstone boss took the club to within two games of Wembley at the expense of local rivals Hendon.

Two goals from Tarryn Allarakhia, sandwiching strikes from Alex Dyer and an Aaron Henry free-kick as the Stones booked a quarter-final tie with National League rivals Solihull Moors.

Wealdstone’s task was made all the more difficult by the tie being switched to Hendon’s Silver Jubilee Park ground at the last minute after a third postponement, but Noble’s men settled by far the quicker and waltzed into a two-goal lead inside 20 minutes.

First, Dyer opened the scoring with a cool sixth-minute finish from the edge of the box before Allarakhia got in on the act, expertly weaving his way through the Hendon defence and slotting it in to double the advantage. Southern League side Hendon did pose a threat of their own, however, Richard Pingling forcing defender Jaydn Mundle-Smith into a crucial block, while keeper Marcus Dewhurst brilliantly tipped Hamza Semakula’s fierce effort over the bar.

But the Stones assumed control after the break and they put the game to bed with two goals in as many minutes just after the hour. Allarakhia got his second with another excellent finish after good work by Corie Andrews and Henry wrapped it up with an expertly placed free-kick into the top corner to seal a comfortable night.

“It was a really professional performance,” Noble said. “We knew it wasn’t going to be an easy place to come; last 16 of the Trophy and local rivals on top of that, but to score four goals and get a clean sheet was really pleasing.

“First 20 minutes, 2-0 up, we started superbly. Fair play to Hendon, they came back into it the last 15 minutes of the first half and were looking a threat, but for us to come out with the same intensity second half and score another two goals was really, really pleasing.

“We’ve not been on the best run of form so that was massive. Winning breeds winning. Tonight was good for the whole squad, good for the club and good for the confidence of the boys.”