Wealdstone made a winning start to the new Vanarama National League South season with a 2-1 victory over Concord Rangers at Grosvenor Vale, a game in which they ought to have won by more than a one-goal margin.

A wasteful performance in front of goal may mean little in the grand scheme of things, but the Stones could have added the gloss to a convincing opening-day win had they been more clinical in the final third.

Gordon Bartlett handed debuts to defender Josh Hill, midfielders Abobaker Eisa and Shaquille Hippolyte-Patrick, and forward Dylan Kearney. Elsewhere Jerome Okimo made his second Wealdstone debut after three years away.

The Stones made a positive start and were rewarded with a first-half opener. Last season’s top scorer Elliot Benyon wasted little time in opening his account for the new season, finding the net after 25 minutes, though Wealdstone would not have it all their own way.

Concord fought back to level proceedings early in the second half thanks to Jordan Cox, but Dan Fitchett’s winner just shy of the hour mark proved decisive for the hosts as he showed good composure to finish off man-of-the-match Eisa’s cross.

Wealdstone had earlier passed up several gilt edged openings that could have seen them home and dry well before Benyon broke the deadlock.

Visiting goalkeeper Louis Wells presented Ricky Wellard with a golden opportunity after only parrying Eisa’s initial shot, though the former AFC Wimbledon midfielder could only blast over with the goal at his mercy.

Sensing the opportunity to strike, Fitchett steered an effort wide after a neat Sam Cox feed while Danny Green was unlucky to see his shot crash onto the crossbar after a deflection.

And, after former Watford man Eddie Oshodi became the latest in a long line of Stones players to be denied, Wealdstone finally had the goal their pressure deserved.

It was a poacher’s goal from Benyon but, like all good marksmen, he reacted quickest to tap in from close range after Oshodi’s cross had crashed into the bar via the palm of Wells.

That was far from the end of the story though. Wealdstone were again denied by the woodwork as the relieved Jordan Brown incredibly volleyed towards his own goal, with the crossbar coming to Concord’s rescue again.

The visitors were riding their luck and made the most of their good fortune by snatching a leveller just a minute into the second half.

Cox reacted quickest to a Rangers corner to head home as Wealdstone were punished for their inability to add to their lead.

Bartlett could not have asked for a better reaction though as, just eleven minutes later, Eisa was on hand to tee up Fitchett who slotted home at the second time of asking after 57 minutes.

With a re-gained lead the onus was on the hosts to put the game out of reach. Benyon did his best to oblige, narrowly firing wide on the turn after a defensive mix-up involving Wells and Billy Roast at the heart of the Concord defence.

The Stones’ lack of proin front of goal was nearly punished again as Rangers substitute Khale Da Costa almost snatched an unlikely point late on as his effort crashed onto the post.

Wealdstone survived though to secure a welcome opening day three points, but their inability to be ruthless in front of goal may be a cause for concern. With plenty of games to come in August, the Stones will have ample opportunities to put that right.