Parkinson: We should have a little bit in our locker to progress

Saturday 21st November 2009

JACK PARKINSON says his Welling United team-mates have enough in their locker to get past Tonbridge Angels to reach the first round of the FA Carlsberg Trophy on Sunday afternoon, writes Stephen McCartney.

The versatile 19-year-old, who has scored three goals so far this season, spent a couple of season’s in the youth ranks at Longmead Stadium and is relishing the Park View Road clash.

“It should be a good game,” Parkinson, whose brother Tom helped Maidstone United dump Bromley out of the FA Carlsberg Trophy at Hayes Lane today, told www.kentishfootball.co.uk.

“Two local teams and we’ve got a new gaffer in now as well. We’ve worked hard over the last couple of weeks so everyone’s looking forward to it.”

Both teams go into the game on a good run of form.

The Wings have climbed up to 16th place in the Blue Square South table, as clean sheets against Lewes, Worcester City and FA Cup heroes Staines Town, has seen the side pick up nine points from their last three games.

Tommy Warrilow’s side, meanwhile, have won their last five competitive games and go into the game sitting in fifth place in the Ryman Premier League table.

Despite being suspended, Parkinson was pleased with the performance from Welling, in what was Jamie Day’s first game in charge of the club, against Staines Town last Saturday.

“It was a good win,” he said. “Obviously I was suspended last week but the boys done well considering Staines are on a good FA Cup run.

“Three goals is obviously another main thing, me being a defender as well, to get another clean sheet is good.”

Parkinson is relishing playing against one of his former sides.

“I was at Tonbridge for a couple of seasons,” he recalled. “I know Tommy, their manager as well as I done pre-season there last year.

“They’re a good side, he’ll have them well organised and we played them pre-season as well so we know what they’re all about. Yes, it will be a tough game.”

If Day plays Parkinson at the back, he will have to come to terms with a strike-force that all other clubs would like in their ranks, Paul Booth and Carl Rook, who have scored 23 goals between them.

“I’ve been told a lot about them,” he said. “I’ve played against both of them, I think one off them (Booth) was at Havant & Waterlooville last year.

“I’ve obviously played against both of them in pre-season, both good players, hopefully nothing that we can’t deal with.”

With the game kicking off at 2 o’clock on Sunday afternoon, Parkinson says he is relishing the Kent derby atmosphere.

“We’re in the league above but when you play cup games, you never know,” he said.

“They should be bang up for it as well, hopefully we should have a little bit in our locker on the day. As long as the lads put it in, we should be alright.

“Being on a Sunday it may help with the crowd. We don’t have many Kent derbies but when we do the crowds are a lot bigger. The bigger the crowds, it will help with the atmosphere.

Andy Pugh, 20, is expected to make his second debut for Welling, having signed on loan from Gillingham again.

The striker had scored two goals during his sixth-game loan spell at Park View Road during 2007, and has since spent time out on loan with Maidstone United, Folkestone Invicta, Grays Athletic and played three games for Dover Athletic in September.

www.kentishfootball.co.uk will be covering this game.

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

Welling United v Tonbridge Angels

FA Carlsberg Trophy Third Qualifying Round

Sunday 22nd November 2009

Kick Off 2:00pm

At Park View Road, Welling, Kent DA16 1SY