Wealdstone boss Gordon Bartlett says the Stones are in a far better position than they were last year after beating Bishop’s Stortford 3-1 on Monday to pick up their first National League South win of the season.

Victory, secured by goals from Tom Hamblin, Josh Hutchinson and Jefferson Louis, comes at the seventh attempt for Bartlett’s side, who took ten games to get off the mark last year after winning the Isthmian Premier Division title.

Speaking afterwards a relieved Bartlett said: “If you’re losing, everyone chips in: ‘Something’s wrong’. We’re fully aware of that but what we need to do is get through the next game and can we start solving the problems that we know are there.

“Points wise I’m not sure, but we’re in a far better position this year than we were last year because the depth of the squad is better and our understanding of what’s needed is better.

“I can’t say results will follow that way but at least our knowledge is better. But I’ll tell you what – the league is much stronger this year.”

Bartlett also heaped praise on the mentality of his players who responded well to Anthony Church’s second-half equaliser.

“The mindset of the players has had to be strong,” admitted Bartlett. “You need strong characters in there. I’ll pick Elliott Godfrey, Wes Parker and Tom Hamblin out, but then I’ll go to the bench and you look at the attitude today or Michael Corcoran and Jefferson Louis. There was no sulking and they took it on the chin.

“That’s what we need to have from the whole group, and they’ve been a very good example today of the spirit within the camp.

“I don’t mind when players are disappointed to be left out. Be disappointed and then go and back your mates out there. We’re in this together. I think the senior players will push that with the younger ones and lead by example.”

Bartlett has spoken at length about the challenges he and his management team have faced throughout pre-season and the start of the season but says remaining upbeat has been the key to finding a way through the storm.

“I don’t think I’ve ever shaken my head as many times as I have in the last seven weeks about incidents or things that have happened. But you need to is try and remain positive. I can’t deny that’s been difficult at times. Particularly when everyone has their comments and don’t know what’s going on.

“It’s been tough because we as a management team have got to remain upbeat. The players have to remain upbeat. It’s the only way you drag yourselves out. If you start to feel sorry for yourselves you just get worse.”

The Stones had been trounced 5-2 on Sutton United’s 3G pitch on Saturday. Next up for Wealdstone is a trip to Hayes & Yeading United on Saturday.