PROMOTION HOPEFULS STONES ARE ON A ROLL
GORDON BARTLETT praised the Stones’ application as they recorded a fourth consecutive win by beating Gosport Borough 2-1 in Vanarama South.
And while Bartlett said the play-offs may be a “long-shot”, the Wealdstone boss said his players are more than capable of carrying on their recent run.
The manager credited returning players, the addition of Dagenham & Redbridge youngster Joe White and an improved work ethic as the reason the Stones have won five games in a row in all competitions, including the win over Hendon in the Middlesex Senior Cup.
At the very least, reckons Bartlett, he wants to carry on the momentum and lay the foundations for next season.
“I think there’s been a better application over recent weeks,” said the Wealdstone manager. “We’ve shown great determination and are grinding out results.
“The attitude has changed. I can’t say the penny has dropped as such, just the work rate has been far better in the last month and the results have proved that.
“Our performances haven’t necessarily improved – we’ve definitely played better this sea- son – but there’s great desire and determination and the players are working for each other and reaping their rewards.”
Two goals in a matter of minutes in the first half, from Ricky Wellard and Aryan Tajbaksh, helped overcome a 1-0 deficit against 10-man Gosport.
And the Stones have a great chance to keep the run going with a match against strugglers Truro on the horizon and Bartlett said his side will have a much better picture of the play-off situation come Saturday evening.
“We have the players capable of carrying on this run but at this moment we’re after a decent finish. I expected us to be in the top eight at the start of the season and that’s still the case,” he said.
“We might get in the play-offs but it’s a long shot.
“It’s good for the atmosphere around the club though, if we can lay the foundations for next season.
“That’s the very least I expect. By next weekend we will be in a better position to know where we are, but it’ll still be an outside chance.”
Meanwhile Hayes & Yeading boosted their Evo-Stik Southern Premier survival hopes with a 2-1 win at Cirencester Town as 19-year-old academy graduate Dylan Kearney scored after 15 and 56 minutes.