Barren run comes to an end in style for Wealdstone FC

Mar 6 2009 Harrow Observer

Wealdstone 2 Margate 0

Wealdstone stopped the rot with a performance that was as cool as it was calculated against a side they had failed to beat on home soil since the 1981/82 season.

The visitors had a goal wrongly ruled out shortly before half time and boss Gordon Bartlett said that was the turning point which swung things in his side's favour.

Bartlett's men finally chalked up a Ryman Premier League win at the fourth attempt during a torrid February which has derailed their promotion charge.

This win, courtesy of second half goals from Davis Haule and super-sub Callum Martin, was comfortable in the end but they really should have racked up several more goals against a Margate side that faded in the second half.

"They had the better of the first half and had the goal been allowed just before half time it might have been a different story," said the Stones boss.

"I could not see anything wrong with it but sometimes you get these decisions go for you and sometimes you don't.

"In the second half there was only ever one side in it [2014] we showed a lot

more passion, determination and improved energy levels."

Bartlett recalled midfielder David Hicks from his loan spell at Chesham United after regular starter Ryan Ashe was ruled out with a virus, while Ben Alexander was handed his first start since December in place of hamstring victim Greg Ngoyi.

"I went to watch Hicksy recently and I thought he was excellent," added the manager.

"I decided I was going to bring him back, but not neccessarily for the Margate game. But he won a lot of tackles in the game, particularly in the second half, and some of his passing was excellent.

"He doesn't panic on the ball, has belief in his own ability and the loan spell suited everybody."

Danny Spendlove continues to grow in stature with every game but Bartlett thinks he still has a bit to do before he is the finished article.