Maynard delighted at manner of win at York City

Wealdstone manager Stuart Maynard was full of praise his team for "digging deep" and earning three points away at York City.

The Stones found themselves 1-0 down at half-time but bounced back after the break with an equaliser from Miguel Freckleton. With the game heading for a draw, a pinpoint free-kick from Lewis Kinsella found the head of Stones captain Jack Cook to put the Stones ahead in the final seconds of the game. “We have to be consistent with everything we do as a management team,” Maynard said. “We weren’t great, especially the first half, they were the better team. We stuck in and came into the break 1-0 whereas in previous weeks we’ve come in two or three down and it’s hard to turn that around so that was the biggest plus. We had a few harsh words at half-time with the lads but they’ve set those standards for themselves. “We dug deep. Howsey (Sam Howes) makes a brilliant save to keep us in it. What a delivery from Kinsella, on the money for Cookie to turn it in. We’re delighted to come to York and win 2-1.” Freckleton, who recently joined the Stones on-loan from Sheffield United, scored his first goal for the club and followed up his clean sheet last week against Wrexham with another outstanding performance at the heart of the Wealdstone defence alongside Charlie Barker.

“When you get the level of player we have in players like Barks (Charlie Barker) and Miguel (Freckleton), they thrive off these things [opposition atmosphere]. Barks was our best player in the first half, he’s the only one that showed real composure and he helped us stay in the game. Him and Miguel have got huge futures ahead of them. Off the back of his man-of-the-match performance against Wrexham, Stones goalkeeper Howes was once again called into action and made crucial saves throughout the match to keep his side in the game. “The hardest thing at a football club is when players are coming in and out and you’ve got a fan favourite like George Wickens, who’s championship level minimum, and you’ve got Sam Howes stepping in, there’s huge expectations. We know he’s a reliable goalie and he’s won us so many points this season in saves and the way that he plays. His big save today was as good as a goal.” The Stones had been without midfielders Ashley Charles, Nathan Ferguson and Max Kretzschmar for a number of weeks, but the return of the three midfielders has also brought a run of good results for Maynard's side. “When you can bring the likes of Max, Nathan and Simeon off the bench it shows how strong the squad is," he said. "Alex Dyer has come in the last couple of weeks and has been absolutely outstanding. He played like an 18-year-old in his running. He’s run himself into the ground for the club today. We’ve got a group of lads all in it together, you’ve got the likes of Napa, Mundle-Smith, Mason (Barrett), who didn’t feature today, celebrating at the end like they’ve won it.” The Stones will be hoping to follow up their dramatic win at York with another three points when they face Scunthorpe at home on Saturday. Tickets are just £10 for those adults who are season ticket holders of Premier League clubs while any Under-16 can gain entry for £6.