Blackstones move into the United Counties League Division One play-off places
Joint manager Jon Harrison feels his Blackstones players are reaping the rewards of their efforts after moving into the play-off places with victory at the weekend.
Stones went into fifth spot in the United Counties League Division One table after a 2-0 away success at Stapleford Town.
It was a third successive league win for Harrison and Ryan Wood's charges following their victories over Pinxton and West Bridgford.
It helped earn Stones the accolade of Division One Team of the Month after a strong start to 2025 where a number of fixtures have been lost due to the wintry weather.
Harrison said: "The lads are finally getting what they deserve.
"They have put the effort in and worked hard in their own time to keep the fitness levels up.
"It is starting to pay off because we're looking a lot fitter than other sides.
"The lads came in for training the other week when it was snowing and they have done all the extras and it is now paying dividends."
Two goals from Will Bestwick secured the success on Saturday over eighth-placed Stapleford in a match played at Radford's Selhurst Street ground.
Bestwick put Stones ahead in the 11th minute and then sealed the success after the break with the second goal with 18 minutes remaining.
The goal brace capped a return to form for the former Bourne Town player who had found himself out of the side before Christmas.
Harrison explained: "We've got some big calls this season right which has been great for us in terms of leaving players out.
"We did it to Nathan Rudman earlier in the season for a couple of games and all of a sudden his attitude towards doing the extras became better.
"His hunger for getting goals and his work-rate also increased.
"It also happened to Harry Peasgood and he's answered it by being so consistently good.
"Will has also been absolutely outstanding in the way that he's answered us.
"You can go one way or the other in either sulking or showing that you don't want to miss out and his attitude to being left on the sidelines has been absolutely immense.
"He's trained hard and done the extras and, when he's got himself back in, he's taken his chance and you can't ask for more than that.
"He's almost like a role model for the other lads now because it sends a really good message to everyone.
"We've got a really good squad and everyone wants to be part of it and they don't want to miss games."
Stones return to action at the Seven Bespoke Joinery Stadium on Saturday when they host sixth-placed Clipstone.