“I THOUGHT about the fixture and picked a team that would work hard and win the game.” Those wise words were the keynote of Scott Bartlett’s talk to the press after Saturday’s welcome win.

He was exactly right. Some high profile names were missing, on paper anyway but not on the pitch. Everyone worked hard and the whole approach looked more confident and was certainly more energetic.

Formation fans will be praising the 4-4-2 formation and, on Saturday’s showing, so they should. Bangura and Green anchored the midfield quartet, giving Kelly and Klukowski the freedom to push forward whenever they could, using space on the flanks.

The front duo were a good pairing. Danny Wright has the strength to win the ball and hold it up, while James Norwood has the pace to unsettle any defence.

Danny is having no luck in front of goal at the moment, but I would pick him for every game. His strength and persistence cause problems for every defence and his ball holding ability gives our defenders a breathing space. His partner James Norwood had an outstanding game, letting his feet do the talking. He was a constant threat and could have had a hat-trick. When he plays as he did on Saturday he is a true match winner.

Scott told us the players had practiced all week at defending set pieces and it showed. With Russell handling well Dartford seldom threatened. We also learned that the players knew they had let down the chairman and the fans and wished to put matters right.

They have started to do that. In awful conditions they battled hard, as did Dartford. The match was by no means a classic, but our team showed the attitude we had all been waiting for and their delight in victory was obvious from the after match dressing room singing. In the interests of accuracy I must report it was not tuneful.

Back to Mr Bartlett. I found his post match remarks a joy to listen to. There was not a sports psychologist in sight neither was there the self pity which had sadly become a common factor in recent weeks.

Scott spoke fluently about the game, but also his own position, indicating he was simply holding the fort until the new ‘Gaffer’ came. My job is to run the academy he added. He is going this well and has so much to offer the club that he must stay in the role he enjoys so much.

Without a game next Saturday a mid-week practice match has been arranged. This will give the likes of Styche, Brogan and Mangan important match time, and keep the whole squad in proper trim for the Nuneaton match on November 12.

By that time we may know our new manager. Our own club is handling matters in a proper manner, releasing no names of possible candidates. The information in the public domain has been released by other clubs, Gateshead and Barnsley have made public their refusal to approach Mills and Mellon while Kidderminster are the source of the Steve Bun approach.

For once I am in agreement with Colin Peake. Keep things confidential and wait for the formal announcement is the gospel according to Colin. He is of course right, but under no circumstances tell him.

Interviewing is still taking place at The New Lawn. A strong short list has emerged from a list of applications now over 100 in number. I do not anticipate an announcement before mid week. We need a candidate who can demonstrate where he wants to take this club, and more importantly how he will do it. Judging by the rumours I hear about the short list we will have one.

There must be wholehearted congratulations from all of us to our friends at Shortwood, and friends they certainly are. John Evans and Alex Sykes are two of soccer’s good guys.

They deserve all the Cup success their team has achieved. I love the FA Cup and Shortwood v Port Vale is exactly what makes it such a fine competition.

This all-ticket match will be a thriller and make sure you get a ticket by going to  the Meadwobank  clubhouse on Tuesday from 7pm.

It is a time for dreams and in the Wood’s case a time of achievement, just as it is for our own good guy Scott Bartlett. Definitely interesting times!