Ford's options limited due to opening day injuries

Sunday 09th August 2009

WELLING UNITED boss Andy Ford says his squad has already been stretched to breaking point - as three of his players picked up injuries on the opening day of the season, writes Stephen McCartney.

Central defenders Graeme Andrews (groin) and Steve King (knee) and striker Tony Finn (Achillies) suffered knocks during the Wings 2-1 defeat to full-time Woking at Park View Road yesterday.

And Ford will be forced into making changes for their trip through the Dartford tunnel to play Thurrock on Tuesday night.

The Essex side began their Blue Square South campaign with a 1-1 draw at Havant & Waterlooville yesterday, and Ford, speaking to www.kentishfootball.co.uk is keen to get back on track.

His side took a third minute lead against full-time Woking at a warm and sunny Park View Road yesterday, as Dean Cracknell’s clinically taken spot-kick got the Wings off to an excellent start after just three minutes.

But Welling failed to test Woking goalkeeper Ross Worner and Woking probed and with both Welling first-choice central defenders off the pitch they levelled through Aswad Thomas’ powerful header after 76 minutes, before former Ebbsfleet United midfielder Guiseppe Sole scored from the spot just four minutes later.

“You could see they were more organised than us, purely through time,” admitted Ford.

“We were rushing it at the end of the week to be honest with the Millwall game thrown in (when I had planned three training sessions for last week and only had the one because of the hastily arranged friendly).

“We’re not really there - we need some more training sessions to do that.”

Ford praised his side for their battling qualities, insisting that his team had “worked their nuts off.”

And he added: “I think there’s positives to come out of today. There was a good bench there today and they’ll get their chance on Tuesday. It might make my job easier to pick a team.

“To get a draw out of it I would’ve been more than happy against them because they’re strong, without a doubt.

“With Harry Arter, Moses (Ademola) and Sincs (Tony Sinclair) that’s three quality players. They’re about this standard all three. We were more than lucky enough to have them but now we’ve got to start again and now I’ve got to find some more.

“I’m just gutted about the injuries really. One thing I said before the season started was my budget I’ve gone for quality rather than quantity and when you get injuries it really just does you in.”

Ford takes his side to Ship Lane on Tuesday night, without a training session to plan for their second league game of the season.

“We had quite a good bench today, but that’s what a bench is all about,” said Ford.

“We’ll be able to get some of them in on Tuesday.

“We’re looking round to find people from lots of different places but we’ll get there. The team will be easier to pick on Tuesday, sometimes that’s better.

“We’ll go there on Tuesday and we do really need to get three points now. If we go and get three points there we’re still in it.”

After yesterday’s game Ford agreed terms with Mickey Haswell, who he calls “the best left-back in non-league.”

The 25-year-old signed for Grays Athletic from AFC Wimbledon in June 2009. He originally played for Grays in 2001, before moving to Wingate & Finchley and Chelmsford City.

He was the Clarets’ player of the season in 2005-06, before signing for AFC Wimbledon and helping the Dons into the Blue Square Premier.

Visit Welling United’s website: www.wellingunited.com

Thurrock v Welling United

Blue Square South

Tuesday 11th August 2009

Kick Off 7:45pm

At South Way, Ship Lane, Grays, Essex RM19 1YN