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Taylor: Results don't reflect Stones efforts

Enzio Boldewijn scores for Wealdstone Image: Jon Taffel
Enzio Boldewijn scores for Wealdstone Image: Jon Taffel

Matt Taylor stressed that results this season have not reflected performances after Wealdstone rallied to net a late equaliser and draw 1-1 with Hartlepool United at Grosvenor Vale.

Enzio Boldewijn’s 86th-minute effort spared Taylor’s side the misfortune of not making the most of their chances in another home game, with his deflected effort snatching a late point for the Stones.

And Taylor told the club media: “I think it was probably a game of two halves. Hartlepool are a really solid National League team with men in their team that know exactly what’s expected of them.

“In the first half, they’ve had one shot, and it’s gone in. We changed things at half-time because we needed to. We changed shape ever so slightly within what we do as opposed to making wholesale changes.

"There was only one team in the second half. If I look at the balance of chances created and possession, we’ve really dominated that game in the second half."

As for Boldewijn being their goal hero, Taylor added: “He can play right wing-back. He’s played right-sided centre half, and he’s played on the wing. I think if you asked him to play in goal, he’d play in goal!

“He epitomises everything about this group of men. I spoke to them about the character and belief that this group has got."

The point gained left Stones one point adrift of safety, but Taylor feels that is not a fair picture on their campaign.

“We’re in a position in the league that doesn’t reflect the performance levels that I’ve got out of the players every week," he said.

"What I’m really pleased with is that they never give up. They never give in. It’s another game at home that we’ve conceded first, which is disappointing, but we were so much superior to the opposition in the second half.

“The supporters at the end applauded the players off, and quite rightly so. There won’t be one person here today saying they haven’t seen a Wealdstone team give absolutely everything for the shirt.”

The winter transfer window closes on February 3, with clubs all around the country looking to add to their squads, but Taylor insisted any new additions must be level-raisers.

“We are going with the group we’ve got, but we do need a bit of help. We need some new faces in the building. What’s really important for me to stress is that whoever comes into the squad right now has to make us better,” he said.

“What we can’t do is just pad out the squad with numbers. We have to make sure we get the recruitment right. We understand with the limited resources we have, every player we sign has to be the right decision.”

The Stones travel to fellow National League strugglers AFC Fylde this weekend as they continue to battle the threat of relegation.