WEALDSTONE boss Gordon Bartlett admitted last night his team had got away with football’s equivalent of a mugging against fellow promotion hopefuls Concord.
Stones were second best almost throughout and trailed 1-0 with two minutes of normal time left, but goals from Esmond James and Tom Pett, the winner in the 95th minute saw the hosts claim the most undeserved of victories.
It was a turnaround which caused keeper Jonathan North to tweet ‘Look out for the Wealdstone boys on Crime Watch as that was the biggest robbery since the Italian Job.’
Bartlett for his part echoed the sentiment before claiming the unlikely turn of events could have a contrasting psychological effect on both sides.
He said: “Absolutely it was a mugging.
“I’ve watched Concord three times in recent weeks – I think they were the lesser side in all three games but got two wins and a draw and I came away thinking ‘how did they win those?’
“Tonight they were far better than us and I came away thinking ‘how the hell did we win that?’ I haven’t got a clue.
“I admire the work ethic, the strength and the spirit Concord have about them. They’ve had a hell of a lot of games and it must have a huge impact psychologically.
“But for us on the other hand what a huge psychological boost to take six points from two games like Margate and Concord.
“I said to the boys ‘it’s that time of year when you forget the performance’. I just didn’t think I’d want to forget it that quickly.”
With tomorrow’s game at strugglers Wingate & Finchley already on the horizon to be swiftly followed by the small matter of a derby encounter with Harrow Borough at The Vale on Monday, Bartlett indicated there would be changes to keep his side fresh.
New signing Scott McGleish played with a tight hamstring against the Beach Boys and may not be risked, meaning a return to the starting line-up for last year’s leading scorer Richard Jolly, while Wes Parker and Chris O’Leary return after suspension.
“We’ve had Jolls (Jolly) sitting on the bench but I’m fairly confident over the next couple of games, we’ll see him back in the side and hopefully back to doing what he does best,” he added.
“Don’t be surprised if there are a few changes over the next couple of games.”
