Wealdstone are hoping a good run in the FA Cup will help change their fortunes after a poor start to the league campaign, according to manager Gordon Bartlett.
This season has not gone to plan for the team from north-west London, who, after gaining promotion to the Conference South, lie bottom of the league.
Wealdstone v Concord Rangers
The FA Cup
Second Round Qualifying replay
7.45pm, Tuesday 30 September 2014
Thames Road, Canvey Island
Winning clubs receive £4,500
But Bartlett believes a Cup result at fellow Conference South side Concord Rangers – following Saturday's 1-1 FA Cup Second Round Qualifying stalemate – could be what is needed to start getting the results they need.
He said: “A Cup run could change the fortunes of this season as we have not had the best start and been punished for mistakes.
“Success in the Cup could change the mind-set of our players and hopefully that will allow us to move up the table.
“We have been very unlucky so far this season and the first Cup match against Concord proves it when they scored in the sixth minute of injury time when five was allocated,” he added.
The club, known as The Stones, have already lost at Concord in the league this season, suffering a 4-2 defeat, but their Cup clash was more even, showing signs of progress.
Wealdstone, from Middlesex, have produced players of top-flight quality such as Stuart Pearce and Vinnie Jones, but Bartlett wants his players to focus on playing for his side.
He concluded: “We have got good players but what we really need is for them to focus on consolidating the club as their main focus.”
Essex side Concord Rangers, sit 12th in the Conference South, and like Wealdstone have never qualified for the FA Cup proper.
