Hopefully we can come home from Bromley with some points, says Welling boss Jamie Day

WELLING UNITED player-manager Jamie Day has urged people to watch his side play at Bromley on Saturday.

The two Kent sides face each other at Hayes Lane on Non-League Day – where fans of professional clubs watch their local sides in action during the international break.

Day, 33, says he hopes the Blue Square Bet (Conference) South Kent derby is well attended.

He said: “With Non-League Day we want as many people getting through the gates and watching the games.

“I think the level of non-league football has risen and it’s a good level of play now.

“Hopefully as many people who don’t come out will support it.  Hopefully it’s a nice day as well and they see a decent level of football and come back to watch more.”

Day began his career with Premier League giants Arsenal before he dropped down into non-league football with Dover Athletic.

The influential midfielder says the standard of non-league football has improved since his first spell on the Kent coast because of the professional approach of footballers nowadays.

Day said: “I think the players that play non-league now, most of them have had some League experience and are either not ready to play consistently in the League or are just not good enough, but they’re filtering down into the Conference and the Ryman League.

“With the Conference (Premier) now mainly being full-time it wasn’t when I first turned out. It makes the level particularly better and fitness wise better as well and I can only see it improving as well from when I first started.  It’s a massive difference.  Technically the players are a lot better, the game’s quicker now, players’ don’t get tired after 60 minutes like they did.

“I think now they’re nearly professional players all the way through.”

The Wings booked their place in the final qualifying round of The FA Cup after needing two games to see off Ryman Premier League basement side Thurrock.

The Essex side almost produced a giant-killing at Park View Road on Saturday, but Mark Stimson’s side had to settle for a 1-1 draw, but Welling United bounced back with a comfortable 3-1 win at Ship Lane in Tuesday night’s replay.

Lower League opposition tend to only have one chance to stun higher league club’s in The FA Cup and Day was pleased that his side finally got through.

Welling United will now face Blue Square Bet (Conference) North side Bishop’s Stortford at home in the next round on 20 October with the winner taking their place in the First Round draw.

“Obviously we’re disappointed with the first game. We didn’t feel we played to the level that we can do and obviously we were a little bit lucky to get the draw in my opinion,” admitted Day.

“But Tuesday night was much better. It was a much better performance. We were comfortable but we got a little bit sloppy when we was 2-0 up but overall we had a really good night and we’re pleased to get through to the next round.”

Day was delighted that Thurrock couldn’t replicate their heroics on Saturday during the replay.

He said: “Normally they raise their game and it’s a big game for players at that level, so they reach the levels that they can do and on the Saturday they did do that and more than matched us and over the two games the quality came through.”

Day is looking to improve on his record at Hayes Lane when they face a Bromley side that are unbeaten in seven games and stunned Dover Athletic in The FA Cup last weekend.

Mark Goldberg’s side came away from Crabble with a 2-1 win to book a home tie against Blue Square Bet North side Worcester City in the next round next weekend.

Bromley welcome the Wings sitting in 12^th place in the Blue Square Bet (Conference) South table and are unbeaten at home.

“It’s a really tough game. They haven’t been beaten in seven so they’re on good form at the minute,” said Day.

“I don’t think I’ve done particularly well there since I’ve been manager – we’ve won one and lost two.

“It will be a difficult game but one I’m looking forward to.  Everyone likes a derby as well so hopefully we can put in a good performance and come home with some points.”

Day says he wants his players to focus on playing Bromley and put Bishop’s Stortford to the back of their mind.

“We’ve just got to take one game as it comes,” said Day.

“For us the League is our bread and butter and something we need to be consistent in.  Talking about The FA Cup is not happening at the minute and we have to worry about getting as many points on the board and stay in the top five – that’s what our aim was at the start of the season.

“The Cup run is a bonus but we’re focusing on doing the best we can in the League.”

Visit Welling United’s website: www.pitchero.com/clubs/wellingutd

Bromley  v  Welling United
Blue Square Bet South
Saturday 13^th October 2012
Kick Off 3:00pm
At Hayes Lane, Bromley, Kent BR2 9EF