Kentish Football 
If we don't perform then we'll get beat, warns Welling United boss Jamie Day
Day takes his side to Hayes Lane to take on Ian Jenkins’ side in the third qualifying round, looking to progress at the first time of asking to reach the first round.
The Wings reclaimed fifth-place in the Blue Square Bet (Conference) South table following their 1-0 win at Havant & Waterlooville last weekend.
Striker Ross Lafayette, who was plucked from Southern League side Hemel Hempstead Town, scored his eighth goal of the season in Hampshire.
“We knew it was going to be a difficult game and we needed to bounce back after Maidenhead,” said Day.
“I thought we deserved to win. I thought we showed the other side of what we can do when our minds are on it and we have to dig in and graft.
“I’m pleased that we got three points and kept our place in the league where we want to be.
“Obviously we targeted the play-offs at the start of the season. I think at this early stage as long as you’re around the play-offs you don’t have to be in the play-off zone throughout the season. Look at other clubs in the past (like Basingstoke Town), who have come from nowhere and got into the play-offs.
“We have to make sure we’re not slipping away where everyone else is. Salisbury have done really well at the moment and have got a nice little gap at the top. We have to keep going and keep plugging away and grind out results over the next two months when we’ve got a lot of games.”
Day praised 26-year-old Lafayette, who has proved you can step up from a lower league to perform in Conference South.
“Ross has done exceptionally well at the minute,” said Day. “He came in pre-season and we think he’s got better and better and we’re really pleased with his progress so far.
“We rewarded him with a contract, which he fully deserved.
“He knows he has to keep going and we think there’s more to come from him. His work-rate and hold-up play and he’s been scoring as well, which helps.
“He’s been one of the key finds for the whole league – not just for us. He’s scored eight goals and he shows he can play at this level.
“A club like us, we don’t go out and sign players on huge amounts of money. You have to look at the ones who need something added to their game or not quite done it at a higher level and it’s down to us to turn it around.
“Luckily for us we’ve got one in Ross who has had a bad time with injuries and form and stuff before but he has ability and we’ve added a little bit to his game and given him confidence and we’re getting the rewards at the moment.
“There’s still a long way to go and he knows that and he needs to work hard. I still think we can get some more out of him and kick-him on again.”
First team squad players, Jamie Turner, Barney Williams, Jon Main, Kiernan Hughes-Mason and Ryan Flack lined up alongside several players from the youth team for their 5-2 defeat at Thamesmead Town in the London Senior Cup (sponsored by Coventry Scaffolding) Third Round on Tuesday night.
When asked what he got out of the game at Bayliss Avenue against the Ryman League Division One North side, Day said: “I think from my point of view it was good to get a couple of first teamers some minutes who needed it and look at some of the youngsters who are coming through.
“The youngsters’ done really well on the night. I know the scoreline doesn’t reflect that but they had a full strength team but some youngsters played well for 90 minutes.
“We had a couple of youngsters (Enoch Adjei and Malachi Hudson) played for Thamesmead as well.
“We had Enoch Adjei who played for us in pre-season and Malachi Hudson whose been there for the last couple of weeks come on and set up one of the goals.
“It’s good to see where they are. They’re playing first team games for Thamesmead so it’s a good experience for the young boys so hopefully we can get one or two in the first team in the next year or two.”
Day was delighted that former VCD Athletic, Cray Wanderers, Tonbridge Angels and AFC Wimbledon striker, Main, 31, netted a brace against Keith McMahon’s side.
Day said: “Mainey came to us (from Tonbridge Angels) in the summer and he had a few injuries and wasn’t as fit as we’d like to have had him so we knew it would take a bit of time.
“He’s done ok when he’s started. He would say himself that he knows he could play better, but he’s had an impact when he’s come off the bench for 20-30 minutes.
“I know it’s Thamesmead Town, no disrespect to them, but he’s movement and finishing was at the level. I think he’s gradually getting to where I think he should be and now it’s down to him when he gets an opportunity, which he’s going to do, he’s got to take that and cement his place in the team. He’s got the ability, there’s no doubting that.
“He’s a key member in our squad both on the pitch and off it and it’s an opportunity maybe in the next couple of weeks to get another start and show what he can do for 90 minutes.”
Main could be in for an emotional start upon his return to Hayes Lane when the Wings travel to Ryman Premier League side Cray Wanderers in The FA Carlsberg Trophy Third Qualifying Round on Sunday afternoon.
Former Wand, Scott Kinch, however, has been ruled out through a one-match suspension following his red-card against Maidenhead United, while striker Lafayette has also been ruled out for one game after collecting five yellow cards.
Ian Jenkins’ side are presently in eleventh-place in the Ryman Premier League table, and Day admitted his side have struggled against sides at this level this season.
“It’s a local derby and Jenks has done a fantastic job down there. He’s got a fantastic side together again,” said Day.
“We’ve struggled against lower league teams so it’s not going to be an easy game. It’s a game we’re looking forward to and if we don’t perform we know we’ll get beat.
“We need to make sure we’ll be focused. We’re training tonight, we’ll get a good session in and hopefully put in a good performance like we have done last Saturday and fingers crossed we’ll get through.”
Day added: “We had Luton a couple of years’ ago and it was a good day and a good experience and it’s something we’d like to do again so we need to be professional on Sunday and get ourselves through to the next round.
“All we have to do is put in a good performance and get through. It’s not going to be an easy game. Also we have to make sure we’re fully prepared and don’t give them an opportunity to get through and beat us.”
Both sides are just one win away from the First Round of the competition and Day would like an extended run in the Trophy this season.
He said: “I think everyone wants to play in The Trophy. It’s a good competition to play in and it’s a chance to play at Wembley if you can get through.
“I think all 16-17 players we’ve got available all want to start and are looking forward to it. The eleven who we do pick needs to put in a performance to get us through.
“We’ve got a good squad of players, the rest are fit to choose from. If we can put in a decent performance we know we’re good enough to get through.”
Meanwhile, Welling United welcome Ebbsfleet United to Park View Road to contest a Kent Senior Cup (Sponsored by Portablefloodlights.com) next Tuesday, subject to Sunday’s result against Cray Wanderers.
Visit Welling United’s website: www.pitchero.com/clubs/wellingutd
Cray Wanderers v Welling United
The FA Carlsberg Trophy Third Qualifying Round
Sunday 11th November 2012
Kick Off 3:00pm
At Hayes Lane, Bromley, Kent BR2 9EF
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