"I'm really enjoying my football," says in-form Ashley Charles

Ashley Charles heads to Gateshead this weekend with his high-flying Wealdstone side as one of the form midfielders in the National League.

The 23-year-old was named in the Vanarama National League Team of the Week on the back of his commanding performance at the base of the midfielder against FC Halifax.

The technician has been with the Stones since 2019 and is now one of the first picks on the teamsheet and central to the smooth-passing style Stuart Maynard and Matty Saunders are so passionate about. Asked if he is the form of his life, the Watford Academy graduate said:

"I don't know about that but I'm playing well at the minute," he said. "I'm happy and I'm really enjoying my football. When you are enjoying your football you play your best stuff, so that's the secret to good form, I guess.

"The gaffer just wants me take up the right position and to be able to receive the ball from the centre backs and make sure they have an out-ball. That's what I'm there to do: break up play, get on the second balls and just keep the team moving really."

Charles is combining neatly with Nathan Ferguson and Max Kretzschmar in a midfield triumvirate that has bit of everything.

"We saw Nate's quality last year and Kretch has brought so much quality," said Charles. "We've got so much quality going forward and once we go get into the final third, we are really intricate and we've played some outstanding stuff. The boys that have come in have done really well."

Maynard has created a good culture and there are plenty of smiles around the place.

"We've just got a good bunch of boys and the changing room is a really good place," said Charles. "There is a lot of positive energy and everyone gets on. There is a really good buzz and everyone's happy."

The Stones head to Gateshead on Saturday on the back of three wins in their first four league games. "It's going well at the minute and we've got a winning mentality," said Charles. "Everyone wants to win. We have our jokes in training and stuff like that, but we switch on for matches and everyone likes the way we're playing. Everyone's on board with the same vision. We've just got to take every game as it comes. Obviously we're doing well and we're enjoying it, but every game we've got to earn the three points again, so we've got to try as hard as we have been doing and just keep going."

• Pictures by Jon Taffel and Darren Campbell The Stones host Yeovil on Bank Holiday Monday looking to make it three wins out of three at homr. A big crowd is expected, so encourage fans to buy tickets in advance. Click HERE to get your ticket for the game.