Ruislip & Eastcote & Northwood Gazette
STONES START HOME RUN WITH BOROUGH VICTORY–
WEALDSTONE BOSS WILKINSON SAYS TEAM NEED TO KEEP MOMENTUM
BOBBY Wilkinson says momentum is key for Wealdstone after starting a run of four home games with victory against Hampton & Richmond Borough on Saturday
The Stones defeated their London rivals 2-1 at Grosvenor Vale on Saturday to move above their opponents in the National League South table, with early goals from David Pratt and Bradley Bubb helping Wilkinson’s men to victory, despite Casey Maclaren pulling a goal back for the Beavers.
It was the ideal start to a run of four home games in a row, including a big FA Cup fourth qualifying round tie against National League opponents Sutton United, and the Wealdstone boss has vowed that his men will be going all out to try and reach the first round proper.
“It can go either way, can’t it? You could lose four games and everyone gets down, or you can keep the momentum going, and that’s what we wanted to do,” said Wilkinson.
“It just sets us up to go into that game now, and I want to keep this momentum going.
“It could be massive for this football club with the finances and I am so proud that we have got that opportunity to get into the first round proper.
“We are underdogs. We shouldn’t really be competing with them so I keep hearing, because they are strong, they are big, they are physical, but we will be ready and we will give it a go.
“What will be will be, but when they come off this park next week they will know they have been in a game, because we want to make the first round proper and we will give it a go.”
Meanwhile, Wilkinson was delighted with the result, together with the fast start from his side on Saturday as the Stones claimed victory in front of a healthy crowd of 1,163 on Non-League Day.
“When you come up against the top sides, I really do believe it is hard to change momentum, and so momentum starts from the first minute,” he said.
“You hear a manager say ‘we have got to start quickly’ and we expressed it from Monday night onwards, working on our pressing, and it worked, so it is credit to everyone at the football club.
“I set us up not to lose, but I knew we could get them on the break and my management team and the boys deserve all the credit.
“I lead them, but they are the ones doing all the hard work on the pitch.
“The boys and the management team have all been first class.”