10:50am Thursday 4th February 2010
By Simon Mail
Wealdstone manager Gordon Bartlett has told his side to improve dramatically or face the prospect of missing out on a play-off spot.
The Stones were riding high in second spot before Christmas but, after a prolonged break due to the cold snap, his team have failed to win this year and are slipping down the Ryman Premier table.
Their latest setback came on Tuesday night after a 4-2 defeat at Carshalton Athletic, despite goals from Greg Ngoyi and Ryan Ashe, which finished with Lee Chappell sent off.
Bartlett said: "We just have to reflect on a very bad night at the office and we have to react positively and quickly.
"It seemed to be one disaster after another for us. It's extremely disappointing and I have to say that at the moment we need to get back to the cohesion, energy and fluency that we had prior to the break.
"Things are not right at the moment and we have to up the ante big time if we want to reach the play-offs.
"We have no divine right to win football matches and the general application we have at the moment is nowhere near where it has been."
It completed a frustrating week after the Stones were held to a 1-1 draw at Canvey Island on Saturday.
Callum Martin fired the visitors in front in the second half and they felt hard done by when he netted his second but it was ruled out after the referee refused to play the advantage and sent off a home defender.
Wealdstone were ultimately punished when the hosts converted a penalty at the second attempt after goalkeeper Sean Thomas was adjudged to have come off his line in saving the first effort.
Bartlett said: "The two decisions by the referee cost us dearly."
Bartlett, whose side travel to Tonbridge Angels in the Ryman League Cup this evening, will celebrate his 1000th game in charge of the club on Saturday against Waltham Abbey at St George's Stadium.
The manager, who began his tenure in 1995, said: "It hasn't been plain sailing by any means, but as we approach this milestone, we can look back with a lot of pride on what we have achieved, especially when you consider some of the major setbacks along the way.
"Our thanks go to everyone who has helped us over the years and we look forward to an even more successful future."
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