Stones boss hails best performance of the season (From Harrow Times)

Wealdstone boss hails Wingate win as best display of season

10:40am Thursday 5th January 2012 in Sport By Simon Mail

Wealdstone manager Gordon Bartlett described his side’s 5-0 win at Wingate & Finchley as their “best performance of the season”.

The Stones extended their run to just one defeat in 17 matches after thrashing their north London rivals.

Bartlett said: “We owed Wingate [lost 4-2 to them in August] and it was a great result. I thought it could have been even more for us.

“It was a very good all-round performance and some of the football we played in the second half was outstanding.

“I think it was the best we have played this season because all of the elements came together.”

The Stones were held 1-1 by Carshalton Athletic on Saturday but had no such problems on Monday in their rout.

Scott Fitzgerald opened the scoring but missed the chance to double the lead when his penalty hit the crossbar.

Watford loanee Britt Assombalonga, who will remain with the Stones for another month, added the second with a superb solo effort.

Assombalonga netted a close-range third before Richard Jolly scored a brace for the visitors.

Bartlett, who has challenged his side to reach 70 points this season, said: “I couldn’t have asked for a better start. We went unbeaten through December and were obviously looking for a good start to the new year.

“Things are beginning to take shape and if we can continue in that vein throughout January then we can look forward to February.

“It is a massively important month for us. There is no point having a good December if we don’t carry it on this month.”

Wealdstone host promotion contenders Lewes this weekend.

Bartlett added: “We have to target teams in the play-offs. Lewes are one of those and we owe them after losing 1-0 and missing a penalty against them.

“If we can beat them then all of a sudden the gap between the sides doesn’t look insurmountable.”