Matt Taylor cut a relieved figure after his struggling Wealdstone side thrashed Gosport Borough 4-1 to reach the first round of the FA Cup.

Oldham loanee Alex Reid’s hat-trick capped off a convincing second-half display from the Stones after some first-half issues highlighted by Taylor.

“In the first half, we were a little bit passive. We didn’t move the ball quick enough or with enough speed to try and shift the opposition around,” he told the club’s website.

“We conceded a terrible goal, and we put Alex in front of goal, and it was fortuitous the way the ball pops back to him, but he puts it in the back of the net.

"At half-time, your role as a coach or manager is to find a way to change if what you’re seeing isn’t up to the level you want, and that’s the reality of today.

“We made two substitutions, and I thought both players, when they came on the pitch, were really good. Anthony Georgiou, who’s been patient because he’s not been in the team. Max (Kretzschmar), who’s obviously been coming back from injury.

“We’ve pushed him back today, and because of time on the pitch, he was down to only play 30 minutes, but we had to push him and get him through. You saw the leadership he shows, and you saw his quality.

“It’s a great ball in from Antony, and Max isn't here to do what Max does - he scores goals. He has historically played in this league and at this level for quite a few seasons. So, we know Max has got those qualities, but I think it’s easy to see we’ve not played as well as we have done in previous games.”

The midweek acquisition of hat-trick hero Reid has boosted spirits in the camp following a barren spell in front of goal, offering Taylor further depth in his attacking ranks.

“We’ve got a player at a good age who understands the level. He wants to score goals. He’s in front of the goal when he scores,” said Taylor.

“His relationship with the players here will grow in terms of them understanding how he plays and him understanding what they want to do with the ball. We just looked more of a threat at the top of the pitch. I’m not getting carried away as it was against Gosport, but you have to play the opposition in front of you, and we did that.

“I think the supporters were desperate for us to win. It always helps in the second half when we’re going down towards our supporters. They will help in terms of trying to suck the ball into the net, and I’ve said that previously.

We found a way to win a game of football, and I’m pleased to be standing here, and we’ve won 4-1. It gives us a bit of confidence going into the league fixtures in the next couple of weeks.”

Wealdstone’s FA Cup journey will continue at Grimsby on November 2, but they return to National League action against Yeovil Town at Grosvenor Vale this weekend.