Stones boss optimistic about side's chances (From Harrow Times)

Wealdstone boss delighted with belief after cup upset

1:10pm Thursday 19th January 2012 in Local Sport By Simon Mail

Wealdstone manager Gordon Bartlett insists the belief they showed in their FA Trophy upset over Barrow can help their promotion charge this season.

Goals from Richard Jolly and Britt Assombalonga helped the Stones overturn a half-time deficit and seal a 2-1 win over the Conference side.

Bartlett, whose team are unbeaten in their last 13 games, said: “One word I use is belief. When players finish their career there are very few games you will look back on and remember. I told them I wanted them to go out there and pull off a giantkilling act.

“It will only stand us in good stead and the belief must be there after beating a Conference side. I’m proud of what they’ve done.

“I think we dominated for long periods and the players’ attitude was spot on.

“If the players have belief then the confidence levels rise and we can play with more freedom.

“That can only bode well for the future. January has gone pretty well so if we can get through it unscathed then February becomes that much more important.

“There is confidence around the camp but not arrogance. You only get there with hard work.

“It was one of the best results of the season. We thoroughly deserved the win and it could have been more comfortable if it wasn’t for their keeper or hitting the woodwork twice.”

Wealdstone will travel to Conference South club Dartford in the next round and Bartlett feels his side have not been rewarded for their cup scalp.

He said: “I wanted a home tie and if not then we wanted a big Conference side but that’s the way it came out. They’re a very good side who have only lost one game at home this season and are flying high. It’s not the reward we were looking for after Saturday but we will give it a go.”

A frozen pitch forced their game against Met Police to be called off on Tuesday night. But the Stones face a crucial home match against play-off contenders Cray Wanderers this weekend.

Bartlett, who has re-signed defender Dominic Sterling from Lewes, said: “I am bitterly disappointed the game was off because we wanted to keep going. We would have been even stronger than Saturday and it was a good oppotunity for us.

“Our number one priority is the four games before the next round. All the sides we have to play are in or around the play-offs and they are the games we have got to win. We are playing catchup but what better way to make up ground than by beating the sides in front of us in the league?”