We have to be ready for a battle, warns Welling United boss Jamie Day

WELLING UNITED player-manager Jamie Day says he is expecting a tough battle away to East Thurrock United in the FA Carlsberg Trophy tomorrow, writes Stephen McCartney.


The Wings needed two games to beat their plucky neighbours Thamesmead Town in the last round and Day expects another tough encounter when they travel to Essex for a First Round tie tomorrow.

“The game against East Thurrock is never easy, because we are expected to go there and win,” said Day, who guided the club to this stage of the competition last season, when they took Conference Premier giants Luton Town to two games, drawing 0-0 at Kennilworth Road before losing the replay on home soil.

“I don’t think the pitch will be good and they will probably raise their game because they are playing a team in a higher league.

“Mentally, we’ve got to be ready for a battle and hopefully get the result.”

East Thurrock United go into the tie sitting third-from-bottom in the Ryman Premier League table on 11 points from 15 games, but  the Essex outfit reached the First Round of The FA Cup this season, losing to  Macclesfield Town.

Welling United, meanwhile, compete in the league above and Day is pleased with being in second place in Blue Square Bet South table with 40 points from 19 games, six points behind Woking, who suffered their only league defeat at Park View Road back in August.

“We’re pleased to be second in the table,” said Day.  “We’ve had a good first half to the season.  For a club the size we are, it will be a good achievement to get into the play-offs.

“I said the other day that I think we’ll need about 80 points to make the play-offs so we’re halfway to that and we’ll have a good go at it.

“A good FA Trophy run alongside the league would be good for the club money wise, but the main priority should be the play-offs.”

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

East Thurrock United  v  Welling United
FA Carlsberg Trophy First Round
Saturday 10^th December 2011
Kick Off 3:00pm
at Rookery Hill, Corringham, Essex SS17 9LB