Corinthian are a good side and we'll need to be at our very best to get anything from the game, says Welling Town boss Kevin Oakes

WELLING TOWN owner/manager Kevin Oakes says his players' will have to be at their very best to become the first side to take points off league leaders Corinthian.

The Boots are sitting in the top six in the Southern Counties East Football League Premier Division table with 13 points from their seven league outings and they welcome Corinthian to Bayliss Avenue tomorrow.

Michael Golding’s side have won six out of six league wins so far this season and will prove to be a stern test for Oakes side that have suffered back-to-back defeats.

Welling Town lost 4-2 at Crowborough Athletic last weekend and a 3-2 defeat at Glebe in midweek, which was to be goalkeeper Jack Moore’s 100^th game for the club.

However, striker Ryan Golding has scored 10 goals for Welling Town already this season and has a knack of scoring tap-ins from within the six-yard box and central midfielder Alex Nelson has also been a shining light.

“Corinthian are without a doubt one of the best sides not only in the SCEFL Premier but at Step 5 football throughout the country,” said Oakes.

“Their recent record of title challenges in the division, sitting top of the table with a 100% record so far, and an FA Vase semi-final don't happen by accident and the quality, consistency, and stability within their squad and management shows why.

“They are a good side and we'll need to be at our very best to get anything from the game.

“But let's not forget that we have got a very good side as well, and one in its infancy by comparison, and we've started well so there is no reason we shouldn't be confident going into the game and looking forward to a tough test knowing earning a result would cement our place up there with the bigger hitters for a reason.

“Four away wins in a row doesn't happen often, and even in the two defeats since there were some very good spells and chances created, and we've scored in every game to date, so we'll cause them some problems I am sure.

“We beat them at their place last season, and not many people can say that, and many of the squad walking out on the field tomorrow featured in that game, so it'll be up to the lads to strive for the performance levels they did that evening, and then they'll get what they deserve.

“We've one or two missing, but there are no excuses, this is an opportunity for others. An opportunity many have been asking for.

“Certain squad members haven't as yet had as many opportunities as they might have liked, again because of the good performance of other individuals, but now is the time everyone has to step up and be counted as it's very much a squad game not just eleven players, so we'll see who's ready to take those opportunities now they are here.

“And as much as we respect Corinthian's ability and recent successes, we'll be hoping to put a little dent in that tomorrow.”

Visit Welling Town’s website: www.wellingtown.co.uk

Welling Town v Corinthian
Southern Counties East Football League Premier Division
Saturday 10 October 2020
Kick Off 3:00pm
at Bayliss Avenue, Thamesmead, London SE28 8NJ