Gordon Bartlett has warned his team to show struggling Hendon the respect they deserve on Saturday, as he aims to secure more derby bragging rights.

The Greens are still firmly entrenched in the relegation zone, but a three-match unbeaten run, their best purple patch of the season so far, has seen them hit form at he right time.

And while the game is still in doubt, with more heavy rain forecast, Bartlett is desperate to get back playing at Grosvenor Vale, which has not played host to a match since Harrow Borough were torn apart 6-0 there.

The rainsodden pitch saw Tuesday's scheduled Middlesex Senior Cup game with Hampton & Richmond postponed, but Bartlett, mindful of a fixture backlog, is hoping the gods are kind to Stones.

"Hendon are doing well and have won the last two," he said. "They have picked up a bit and there is a bit of confidence in their squad now.

"Looking at their players, they are a decent outfit who always want to play passing, open attacking football. It is a local derby and should make for a good game."

Stones crushed Gary McCann's side 4-1 in September's reverse fixture, but Bartlett insists the scoreline was not a true reflection of the game.

"We beat them 4-1 but that flattered us," added the manager. "We just happened to take our chances.

"But they've got the likes of Brian Haule and Harry Hunt back. They're fit and they're scoring. They will be confident of coming here and getting something from the game." [25a0] Stones midfielder David Hicks has gone on a month's loan to Chesham United to gain some regular first team experience. [25a0] Wealdstone Reserves are just two steps away from retaining their Middlesex Premier Cup title after a late, late show dumped Hanworth Villa out in the last eight of the competition.

With an average age of just 17, the Stones team took a physical battering in the first half, which remained goalless.

Villa forged into an early second half lead and they might have extended it, had it not been for the heroics of Stones stopper, Sam Leggett.

Stones toiled and got their reward in the 89th minute when Frenchman Alioune Fall scrambled the ball home.

Hanworth pressed the self-destruct button, with two players receiving their marching orders for a professional foul and dissent respectively.

Stones took full advantage, with Dan Lake netting the winner from the resulting free kick.

They host Hayes & Yeading in the semi-final at Grosvenor Vale on Monday, February 9.

UP NEXT: Hendon

Where? Grosvenor Vale, Saturday, 3pm

Manager: Gary McCann

League record to date: P24 W7 D4 L13

Last five (most recent first): W, W, D, L, W

Last five away: W, L, W, L, L

Top scorer: Brian Haule (6)

Current league position: 19th

Last season: 7th

 2007/08 season: Stones won 3-2 (H) and 2-1 (A)