Blackstones beat Huntingdon Town in United Counties League Division One clash
Blackstones secured back-to-back wins for the first time this season to move into the top five of the United Counties League Division One standings after a convincing four-goal home success over Huntingdon Town on Wednesday night.
Top scorer Will Bird bagged a brace for the Stamford side with Denis Tomkins and Dan Gargan also on target in a top-drawer display by Mark Baines' side.
The Blackstones boss has been calling for more consistency from his side and was delighted at how they followed up Saturday's five-star success over Birstall United with another accomplished all-round performance.
Baines said: "It was really good from start to finish.
"I saw this match as a real derby for us as a lot of the lads know each other and my assistant Lloyd Burton had several of their players with him at Yaxley Reserves last season.
"I thought we were brilliant though. We were better in every department.
"They looked like scoring on a couple of occasions, but we could have had six or seven.
"The work-rate of the team has completely changed and every time we lose the ball we get back into our shape.
"We just look a different team from a few weeks ago and there is a real buzz about us and, when you have that, you win games.
"I'm thrilled for the lads because it was important that we backed up Saturday's performance."
Stones signalled their intentions from the outset as Bird curled an early effort just wide before testing Huntingdon goalkeeper Craig Foxall with a rasping drive.
Harry Peasgood then hit a first-time shot at Foxall following a corner before Stones took a deserved 11th minute lead.
Skipper Harry Fitzjohn latched onto a back post corner before picking out Tomkins with an inch-perfect cross which his defensive partner headed home from close range.
Huntingdon rallied and Herbie Panting had to be alert to deny the dangerous Aaron Murrell with a vital block from Corey Kingston's cross.
Harley Williams connected well with another effort which home goalkeeper Simon Dalton was equal to.
Dalton then excelled to turn away a downward header from the resultant corner before being beaten shortly after by Williams' header which was ruled out for offside.
Stones had a very strong penalty appeal turned down after Panting's marauding run in the box was brought to a halt before they scored a crucial second goal three minutes before half-time.
It was a move they had been working on by gambling on a long clearance from goalkeeper Dalton that was flicked on by Bird and Gargan raced clear to slot home past the advancing Foxall to net against his former club.
Kieran Blanchard went close to adding a third goal ahead of the interval as his jinking run and shot was saved by Foxall.
But Stones did put the contest beyond their visitors eight minutes into the second period as Bird collected the ball on the edge of the box and rifled home a low shot past Foxall.
Peasgood put a good chance wide just past the hour mark before Dalton did well to deny Williams again from his low shot.
Stones sealed their success in injury-time as the industrious Bird continued to chase a lost cause in the dying throes and reaped his rewards by charging down a clearance and then firing home past the out-the-position Foxall who had been caught unawares with the last kick of the game.
It was the Blackstones striker's fourth goal in the last two games - again wearing the borrowed boots from boss Baines who was thrilled for his frontman.
The Stones manager quipped: "It's good to see that there's still some magic in the gaffer's boots!
"Will's work-rate was unbelievable though. He's won nearly every header, he was here and there and holding the ball up and how many strikers do you still see chasing a lost cause in the 93rd minute. You don't get that at this level.
"I was also happy for Dan Gargan who I thought was brilliant while Bogdan Masnita has also brought something different to us. He's got the X-Factor because he's just unmarkable.
"He will make mistakes but he also creates stuff because he goes past people and gives us an outlet.
"Dan Wilson has been so disciplined at full-back while Harry Peasgood has fitted in really well that he looks like he has been part of this team for two seasons.
"We just look a different side. We have changed the shape and the lads have really taken to it so I couldn't be happier."
The only downside for Stones is that they will now have to wait until Saturday, November 7, to try and extend that winning streak following the postponement of this weekend's scheduled trip to Rushden & Higham.
The Cudge Lankies ground-share with AFC Rushden & Diamonds who have an FA Trophy tie this weekend at Hayden Road.
Stones: Dalton, Tomkins (O Smith), D Wilson, Panting, Peasgood, Fitzjohn, Masnita, S Wilson, Bird, Gargan (Page), Blanchard (Klinkovics).