REACTION: “All I Thought Was Just Smash It” – Joe’s Late Joy

ALL managers want their substitutes to make an impact when entering the fray – and Joe Newton certainly did that, rescuing a point for Wealdstone by forcing a late own-goal with a dangerous low cross.

So was there a moment when he thought about shooting rather than fizzing a ball across the face of goal?

“Yes – but just for a split-second,” smiled the attack-minded defender, who told wealdstonefc.com what went through his mind at the crucial moment.

“When you’re that close, all I thought was just smash it in between the six-yard (box) and the keeper and if someone gets something on it then it’s got a big chance of going in.

“Just before I was coming on, I actually pictured myself getting into situations like that, so expecting it to happen a little bit probably gave me more confidence.”

Newton (J) was one of a trio entering the field on 56 minutes – and all subs helped provide fresh impetus for Stones, who looked the likelier goalscorers both before and after Pools pounced on an error to take the lead.

“I think first half we had spells where we moved it side to side and controlled the game quite well but we didn’t really threaten their goal too much and they had the better chances,” explained the 25-year-old wing-back, who arrived at The Vale from Boreham Wood in the summer.

“You could tell in the second half that there was a growing feeling we could take not just one point but maybe all three, just the way it felt like the balance had changed.

“We knew coming here we absolutely had to get something, all things considered with where we are in the league.”

And off the back of the Dover FA Cup disappointment, too.

“You can’t spend too long looking back or you lose focus on what’s ahead. It was a good week’s training, despite what happened, and we really needed to put that one behind us.

“Now we’ve got four points from the last two league games and a chance to focus on another big game at home against Hornchurch next weekend.”

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