10:30am Thursday 11th March 2010
By Simon Mail
Wealdstone manager Gordon Bartlett has thanked their supporters after they helped his team revive their Ryman Premier play-off hopes.
The Stones have been on a dreadful run since Christmas but victories in the last week at Cray Wanderers and against Hastings United have put them firmly back in contention for promotion.
Bartlett said: "Full credit to the players for their work ethic but a big thank you must go to the fans. They sung their hearts out and played their part. The fans woke us up and we're all in this together.
"The last two games we have got back to what we were doing in the early part of the season, in terms of our energy levels and confidence.
"It is an enormous week and I'm very satisfied with the start. We've won two games but it's important that we extend that run. The mentality is getting back to being positive again and it has given us a great platform."
Wealdstone produced a superb second-half fightback to win 3-1 at Cray on Saturday with goals from Danny Spendlove, Callum Martin and Jamie Osborne.
Bartlett added: "I was most pleased with the character we showed in the second half when we played very well. I always felt comfortable about the situation because I felt we could turn the game around."
Wealdstone earned their first home win in 2010 on Tuesday night with a priceless 1-0 victory over in-form Hastings United.
Ryan Ashe's first-half penalty was enough to take Bartlett's side up to sixth and the manager thinks winning half of their remaining 14 league games will be enough to win a play-off spot.
He said: "Hastings are a decent side but we produced a good battling performance. We created a lot of opportunities, probably more than we have done for a long time."
The Stones' hectic programme continues tonight when they travel to Sittingbourne for their Ryman League Cup quarter-final tie. Bartlett claims cup success is a priority, despite only being back in the competition after Tonbridge Angels were thrown out for fielding an ineligible player.
"The idea is to put out our strongest side," he said. "We are missing a few because of work commitments but it will still be a strong side. Our priority is to do well in the cup and league and winning is a habit and gives you momentum."
Wealdstone host second-placed Kingstonian at the St George's Stadium in the league on Saturday.
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