Wealdstone were unable to build on a fine first National League South win of the season and drew 0-0 at Hayes and Yeading United on Saturday.

After a 3-1 win over Bishop’s Stortford on Bank Holiday Monday hopes had been high of back-to-back wins. However, Gordon Bartlett’s side had instead to settle for a point and a clean sheet at Maidenhead United’s York Road.

For the first 20 minutes of this encounter the Stones picked up where they had left off and played some super following football with Scott Davies pulling the strings in midfield.

United were on the back foot as Stones pressed relentlessly forward using the width of the large pitch to great effect.

Jefferson Louis used his muscle power to break through on several occasions but just missed out at the crucial moment and Bradley Hudson–Odoi was causing all sort of problems for the home side’s back-line.

The vibrant visitors’ best chance came on 12 minutes when Davies’ 30-yard goal-bound free-kick was superbly tipped away by United keeper Dan Lincoln.

But that was as good as it got for the Stones in terms of consistent progressive play as United gradually worked their way back into the game as Wealdstone inexplicably fell back into their old ways of dropping too deep and misplacing passes.

The home side won a succession of corners but their ability to carve out real goal-scoring chances were severely limited by Stones’ efficient back-line, which stood firm and tidied up very well.

United’s best chance came when good approach work from strikers Elliot Benyon and Ismael Ehui set up a shooting chance for Jake Nicholson but he missed the target from the edge of the box.

Stones livened up towards the end of the half and a long Davies throw-in was knocked on by defender to Hudson-Odoi who got his toe to the ball in front of Lincoln but just lofted the ball over.

Then a long ball up the slope was controlled neatly by Louis to Matt Ball but his volleyed was ballooned over.

The second half lacked any early momentum from both sides as played was characterised by defensive dominance and poor passing at crucial moments.

Josh Hutchinson went close from a Louis pass as the ball whistled passed the upright after 55 minutes but chances were few and far between It looked like the home side might snatch all the points deep in stoppage time but Hayes substitute Josh Scott shot wide of Jonathan North’s far post when well placed.

This was typical of the home side’s efforts all afternoon as North did not have a single save to make in the entire 90 minutes.

A point for the Stones represents progression as part of their continued rehabilitation – a journey that will no doubt continue to be a roller coaster ride and all the more fascinating and frustrating in equal measure.

Wealdstone: North; Urquhart, Parker, Hamblin, Watts; Ball, Davies, Godfrey, Hudson-Odoi (Lucien 71); Louis (Wright 73), Hutchinson (Calcutt 84).

Subs: Corcoran, Bevans.

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