One of the most hotly-anticipated games in the history of Wealdstone Football Club is finally upon us. Saturday will see the Stones host Marine AFC in the semi-finals of the Isuzu FA Trophy, a place at Wembley at the prize for the winners.
Venue: Grosvenor Vale, Ruislip, HA4 6JQ
Competition: The Isuzu FA Trophy
Broadcast Information: N/A
If you are driving to the Vale on Saturday, there are 200 parking spaces available at the ground. Spaces must be booked online and in advance, and must be filled by 1:30 pm. If you would like to purchase a space for £5, click here.
There have been a few squad changes over the last few weeks as the registration window has come to a close.
There has been one major outgoing as Elijah Dixon-Bonner has returned to Queens Park Rangers upon the expiration of his loan earlier this month. Everyone at Wealdstone Football Club thanks Elijah for his hard work during his stint in HA4.
In terms of incomings, the club announced the return of Jack Wells-Morrison on a short-term deal last week. Jack was on loan at the club last season and started on Wednesday night against Yeovil Town. Welcome back to Wealdstone, Jack!
Additionally, the club are delighted to announce that the loan deals of Shay Spencer and Michael Adu-Poku have been extended until the end of the season!
The Stones also announced an important off-field signing earlier this week, Kelme!
The club can confirm that the existing technical partnership with the Spanish-based company, which sees them produce the Stones’ kit and training wear, has been extended until the summer of 2029. Chairman Rory Fitzgerald called the deal “a really straightforward decision for us as a club”.
League Position: 13th (National League North)
Marine are in the midst of their second season in the National League North after they gained promotion from the seventh tier via the playoffs during the 2023/24 campaign.
After securing a solid 15th-placed finish last campaign, the club once again finds itself in mid-table this season. But winning the games in hand they have accumulated due to their FA Trophy run would see them push into the playoff positions.
The manager – Bobby Grant : In the opposition dugout on Saturday is a man with over 350 EFL appearances to his name, Bobby Grant.
The former Fleetwood Town man initially joined Marine as a player, scoring 12 goals in his first 22 appearances for the club.
Grant was named club captain at the start of last season, but a knee injury meant he missed the majority of the season. He retired from football and was named the club’s Head Coach in the summer of 2025 as Neil Young took on a role as Director of Football.
However, this season has not been Grant’s first foray into management, as he had a stint as Player-Manager of Radcliffe between 2021 and 2023, his side narrowly missing out on a playoff finish.
The danger man – Finlay Sinclair-Smith: Marine’s top scorer in all competitions this season is former Blackpool youngster Finlay Sinclair-Smith.
Sinclair-Smith made three senior appearances and scored one goal for the Tangerines before dropping into non-league and spending time with the likes of FC United of Manchester.
He netted 18 league goals for Bamber Bridge during the 2022/23 season as they reached the playoff final, earning him a move to Marine, where he netted a whopping 27 times in 49 appearances and fired his side to promotion.
Last season was Sinclair-Smith’s first campaign at step two of non-league, and he scored a respectable 10 league goals.
The attacker has already netted nine times in the league and twice in the FA Trophy this campaign, including a brace against AFC Telford United last time out.
There are now just a handful of tickets remaining for Saturday’s blockbuster tie, in which Gary Waddock and the team will need your support to secure victory.
Make sure to secure your attendance at what could be a historic match for the club by purchasing your ticket via the link below!
A reminder that tickets for Saturday’s contest must be purchased online and in advance. There will be no on-the-day sales at the Vale.
