Stones gear up for festive derby fixtures

Dec 23 2009 By Tim Edwards

WEALDSTONE boss Gordon Bartlett insists the form book goes out of the window ahead of three derbies in eight days over the festive period.

Bank Holiday Monday's derby with Harrow Borough is sandwiched by a trip to Ashford Town on Boxing Day before the same opposition visit the Vale on January 2.

Stones have won four and drawn one of their last six league games including recent back-to-back victories over Tonbridge Angels and Horsham which has propelled them back into the play-off picture with several games in hand.

However, Bartlett insists it counts for nothing.

He said: "We’ve got three local derbies and it’s very rare you win all of them.

"It is a game of football and we’ve no divine right to win it. When we played Harrow last season they were top of the current form table and we beat them 6-0. Does that make a difference this time around? No. It is about the frame of mind of the players, the conditions and the current form.

"Harrow are having a good run and Dave has got a good group of players over there. In recent times we’ve had the upper hand against them but who knows what can happen. They’ve got pace about them and I’m sure Dave will say it’s one of the best sides he has had for a while. But it doesn’t matter who you play in this league as everyone is capable of beating one another."

Wealdstone are without goalkeeper Sean Thomas, who is three weeks away from a return after fracturing a finger, and knee victim Kieron Forbes. A scan revealed he does not need an operation but rehabilitation work will not see a return to full training for at least a month. Rob Fitzgerald and Alan Massey will be available providing they complete one-match suspensions should the first Ashford match beat the weather.