Welling United 1-1 Charlton Athletic - I will give trialists another chance to impress, says Ford

Wednesday 08th July 2009

WELLING UNITED 1-1 CHARLTON ATHLETIC
Pre-Season Friendly
Wednesday 8th July 2009
Stephen McCartney reports from Park View Road

WELLING UNITED boss Andy Ford took plenty of positives away from their annual curtain raiser against Charlton Athletic - which ended in a draw in front of 2,200 fans at Park View Road tonight.

Ford was unable to hand debuts to three of his summer signings due to unavailability, but he was pleased with the debuts of winger Anthony Finn, 26 (a summer signing from AFC Wimbledon) and left-back Spencer Knight, 31 (Chelmsford City).

James Lawson (a 22-year-old striker signed from Chelmsford City was away on holiday); Lee Clarke (a striker signed from St Albans City is still recovering from his summer knee operation) and 29-year-old right-back, Andy Sambrook (AFC Wimbledon) hasn’t recovered from his calf strain.

After a goal-less first half, the Coca-Cola League One visitors’ changed their entire side at the break, and instantly broke the deadlock through Scott Wagstaff’s screamer.

But the Blue Square South hosts drew level soon after - with their first shot on target - when half-time substitute Sam Hurrell slid in Sanchez Ming’s driven low cross from the right.

The Wings went into their first of seven pre-season games on the back of just three training sessions, and the part-timers competed well against a side that play three divisions above them.

And Charlton Athletic called Wings goalkeeper Charlie Mitten into action after ten minutes, when a fine diagonal pass from Dean Burton split the Wings defence to find Alex Stavinou, who beat the offside trap, but the goalkeeper spread himself well at his near post to make the save.

Many supporters felt Charlton Athletic had taken the lead just four minutes later.

Right-back Chris Solly whipped in an excellent cross, which caught Mitten in two minds, and the stranded goalkeeper was beaten by a powerful header from central midfielder Yado Mambo, which flew into the roof of the net, but the goal was ruled out for a foul.

Former Erith & Belvedere striker, Chris Dickson was thwarted by a fine diving save from Mitten after 26 minutes, following Lloyd Sam’s delightful low cross across the face of goal.

The Wings’ best first-half opening arrived ten minutes before the break. Patient build up play down the right-flank, involving Finn and Ming, resulted in Jason Mason finding Ben Greenhaughe in space on the edge of the penalty area, but the left-sided midfielder’s right-footed drive sailed over.

As promised, Addicks’ manager Phil Parkinson made eleven changes at the interval, and his new side took less than three minutes to open the scoring.

Mitten had no chance when Wagstaff, cutting in from the right, cracked a stunning right-footed drive into the far corner, following Jose Samedo’s delightful pass.

Mitten plucked the ball out of the air, high above his head, after Isel McLeod’s right-footed volley had looped high into the air, before the spirited Wings drew level after 55 minutes.

Hurrell got in front of his marker whilst inside the six-yard box, converting Ming’s teasing low centre from the right.

With Mitten now off the pitch, Jonjo Shelvey had Charlton’s best chance to re-take the lead, but his 30-yard drive took a deflection on it’s way to substitute goalkeeper Ryan Burbridge.

The brave Wings created only two chances on target tonight, as both sides were guilty of some poor finishing, which is expected at this early stage of pre-season.

Substitute striker Jake Hobbs turned to drive a right-footed effort from 25-yards, which substitute goalkeeper Darren Randolph saved at the second attempt.

The Addicks, meanwhile, handed Maidstone United youngster Rob Carter, who is on trial, a second half run-out tonight.

The final whistle brought a friendly pitch-invasion and also satisfaction from the Wings boss of a good job well done.

“Yes, I was quite pleased with that,” Ford told www.kentishfootball.co.uk afterwards. “I’m quite happy to get out of it without not getting a hammering and coming out with no injuries, that’s the main thing.

“It (was) a little bit too early for us, we’ve only had three (training) sessions so (we were) a little bit green, players don’t know each other too well, so all-in-all, early days.”

Without naming names, Ford, who guided the Wings to seventh place in the Blue Square South last season, was pleased with some of the new faces on show tonight.

“They’ve been working hard for the three sessions and it’s hard to sort the trialists out, it takes a few games,” he said.

“You can’t be too harsh on them, having seen them once, so you’ve got to keep seeing them, but there were some youth team players out there tonight as well, so that was pleasing.”

Ford added, “We’ve got to give everyone a chance, today the result was not important. It’s just to make sure you have a good look with everybody, which we did. Everybody got a little 45 minutes or 25 minutes, which was good.”

Jack Parkinson, who partnered Graeme Andrews at the heart of the Wings defence during the first half, relished the opportunity to play against full-time professional footballers.

“It was a good run out against a decent side,” the 19-year-old told www.kentishfootball.co.uk afterwards.

“Against a side like that, I thought we done well. We kept the ball well in the end, which is the main thing for us really.

“We played five across the midfield in the first half to try and stop them playing, but we kept the ball well and put pressure on, when needed.”

The former Tonbridge Angels and VCD Athletic teenager admitted playing in front of such a big crowd inspired him - and the rest of his team-mates - to impress.

“It’s always a good way to start the season when you play in front of a big crowd,” said Parkinson.

“Everybody’s always up for it, especially when you’re playing against a club like Charlton.”

Ford, meanwhile, doesn’t expect to see much of the takings from tonight’s showpiece opening friendly.

“It’s important for us to pay some bills,” he added.

Welling United: Charlie Mitten (Ryan Burbridge 65), Sanchez Ming (Marco Bianchi 65), Spencer Knight (Rhys Boyce 65), Dean Cracknell (Leon Wilson 46), Graeme Andrews, Jack Parkinson (Justin Ferrera 46), Jason Mason, Ryan Johnson, Loui Fazakerley (Jake Hobbs 65), Anthony Finn (Adam Marsh 65), Ben Greenhauge (Sam Hurrell 46).

Goal: Sam Hurrell 55

Charlton Athletic: Rob Elliott (Darren Randolph 46), Chris Solly (Rob Carter 46), Kelly Yuga (Jose Samedo 46), Alex Stavinou (Grant Basey 46), Migel Liera (Jack Clark 46), Yado Mambo (Jonjo Shelvey 46), Lloyd Sam (Scott Wagstaff 46), Matthew Spring (Nicky Bailey 46), Chris Dickson (Stewart Fleetwood 46), Deon Burton (Juan Manuel Fernandez Truy 46), Tama Tuna (Isel McLeod 46).

Goal: Scott Wagstaff 48

Attendance: 2,200

Referee: Mr Gavin Ward

Assistants: Mr Ian Fessenden (Gillingham) & Michael O’Keeffe (Sevenoaks)