Colney Heath manager Ryan Thompson has praised Jack Woods after the midfielder was thrown into unfamiliar surroundings in recent weeks.
Usually a winger, Woods was played in the centre two weeks ago against St Margaretsbury in a match the Magpies won 3-2.
And he continued there against Leverstock Green on Tuesday night as they kept their late season revival going.
Thompson said: “We single out a lot of people and they’ve all done well but Jack Woods has got to take a lot of credit.
“He’s been really good this year. He’s grown up and matured; he still picks up too many silly bookings and gets involved with stuff he shouldn’t.
“But he’s never played centre-midfield and against St Margs we were so short of players because of injuries and players being away, we played him in the centre of the park. And he was superb.
“It was the same again today. He had a great game, great energy, read the game well, passed the ball at the right time, knew when to put his foot through it and scored a good goal.”
A number of players caught the eye against Green with the young wingers Isa Rotimi and Osamu Allman among them.
However, Thompson says they are two that show what the club’s main problem has been this year.
He said: “It’s handy when we’ve got big Jimmy [Hill] up front. We know he’s not going to run channels but he’s a physical presence.
“But he’s had a few injuries this season and Isa has been out a long time with a hamstring injury as has Osamu. And when you keep picking up these injuries and you only have a small squad, it’s hard.
“How do you replace quality like that? They’re young, they’re energetic and they work hard for each other and the team so when you lose them it’s a kick in the teeth.”
The victory leaves Colney with 11 league games to fit in between now and April 28 as well as a cup final against WGC.
“We’re just trying to see the season out properly,” said Thompson.
“It helps having a cup final. It’s done us a favour being postponed last week and now arranged for the end of the season because it pulls the season out.
“We’re not in relegation trouble, we’ve just got to finish as high as we can and try to take that into next season.”
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