'Wealdstone played some scintillating stuff in Oldham win'
Wealdstone assistant manager Matt Saunders was proud of this exciting and progressive side after a memorable 2-1 victory at former Premier League side Oldham Athletic on Tuesday night.
Wealdstone were two goals to the good and in dream land after 17 minutes following two superbly-worked team goals from Rhys Browne and then Tarryn Allarakhia. Saunders described the Stones’ play as “scintillating stuff”.
“The first-half performance was the best we’ve been involved in as a management team by a country mile. We were unbelievable," said Saunders.
“To get over the line in our first big game against an ex-league club and play the way we played, some of the football, it was scintillating stuff, we were going through them quite well, they were unbelievable. To win and play the way we have was unbelievable.”
Stones blew a two-goal lead away at Stockport last season so Saunders was thrilled to see how this young side have matured and are becoming more streetwise.
“We’ve got some real young footballers and young men," he said. "To do what they did second half, I was so proud of them after the first goal. It is intimidating and for them to come through that is a credit to them.
“We should be sitting on seven points. We kind of got robbed on Saturday at Eastleigh. It’s a good start but you don’t look at the league table till after 10 or 15 games.”
Saunders praised the “unbelievable” support from the Stones fans who made the long journey to Oldham and contributed fully to a crackling atmosphere in a crowd of nearly 6,500 at Boundary Park.
“I want to thank both sets of fans," said Saunders. "Our fans to come out in the numbers they have was unbelievable on a Tuesday night. Equally, the Oldham fans when they went 2-0 down, to come back the way they did and get their team going, it’s unbelievable from them. You want to put a marker down. You want to come to these places and impress and show you’re not there to sit back and nick a point.”
Next up for the Stones is FC Halifax at Grosvenor Vale on Saturday. Saunders is looking forward to a “tough game” in front of the home fans.
“I watched the Torquay game, and they were very unlucky to lose. It’s going to be a really tough game. They’re a good team with a good manager who knows the group very well. We’ve just got to approach it the way we have, dominate possession and try to win the game.”
Saunders said Olufela Olomola may come into contention on Saturday as his injury isn’t as bad as first feared.
“Fela will be touch and go for Saturday," said Saunders."It’s not going to be too bad, which is great news because he’s been unbelievable since he came in, but Browney (Rhys Browne) did a great job tonight. People like that coming back into the squad makes us stronger.”
• Interview by Chris Woods
* Pictures by Jon Taffel