We've got to keep our feet on the ground, says Welling boss Jamie Day

Wednesday 25th August 2010

WELLING UNITED player-manager Jamie Day has praised the character being shown by his players despite the club’s off-the-field problems, writes Stephen McCartney.

The Wings have avoided defeat during their opening four games in Blue Square Bet South so far this season and have picked up morale boosting results against Hampton & Richmond Borough (0-0), Dover Athletic (2-2), Havant & Waterlooville (3-1) and Chelmsford City (3-2).

Chelmsford keeper James Pullen gifted Luis Cumbers a late winner in what was a thrilling game at Park View Road last night.

The Wings fell behind after 20 minutes when Sam Higgins’ header beat Charlie Mitten as Chelmsford grabbed the lead against the run of play.

But Welling levelled after 53 minutes through Cumbers’ first goal of the season, before the visitors regained the lead through David Rainford’s penalty after Jamie Coyle handled inside the Welling box.

Welling levelled just three minutes later through striker Andy Pugh, heading home a near-post corner, before Cumbers accepted Pullen’s gift at the death.

Wings substitute Jordan Johnson hit a hopeful ball into the Clarets box and what seemed like a routine clearance was sliced by defender Mark Haines high into the air and what should have been an easy catch for Pullen slipped through the keeper’s fingers and rolled to Cumbers who tapped the ball into the empty net.

Reflecting on the win, Day told www.kentishfootball.co.uk that his side deserved to claim the points.

He said: “I thought the first 10-15 minutes we started quite lively. We had two good chances early on, didn’t take them, and I felt from 15-20 minutes to half-time Chelmsford obviously scored and started to get on top and probably in fairness dominated the game and deservedly went 1-0 up.

“I felt second half we came out and I thought we dominated the game and I thought we deserved to get three points.

“The third goal was a bit of luck on our part with the keeper dropping the ball, but I thought it’s what we deserved over 90 minutes.”

Day praised his players for their character, especially considering their off-the-field troubles, where they owe £90,000 in unpaid tax, and the club face a date at the High Court today.

“The boys have done really well,” said Day. “They’ve shown a lot of character since the off-the-field sagas, so I’m really pleased with them.

“We’ve just got to keep it going, not get carried away with what we’ve done in the first four games, because obviously it’s a long season, but we’re pleased where we are at the moment and we just have to keep this run going.”

There is an awful lot riding on the Blue Square Bet South Kent derby at Hayes Lane on Saturday.

The Wings are presently in fourth place in the table, but hosts Bromley are presently sitting proudly at the summit, with wins over Dorchester Town (2-1), Boreham Wood (4-2), Hampton & Richmond Borough (2-1) and Havant & Waterloovile (1-0).

The Hawks were supposed to be the bookies’ favourites for the title, but at present they lie third-from-bottom, as a Warren McBean 60th minute header sealed the points for Mark Goldberg’s early pacesetters at Hayes Lane last night.

“We’ve done really well against the teams that I think will be up there, but we’ve got another big game on Saturday against Bromley, who have obviously won all four games, so we have to go there full of confidence,” said Day.

“But we’ve done really well, I’m pleased with the way we’ve started, but like I say, we’re not getting carried away, we’ll keep our feet on the ground and hopefully we’ll get two decent results over the weekend.”

Looking forward to the Kent derby at Hayes Lane, Day said: “I think it will be difficult. They’re obviously full of confidence from winning four in a row and we’ve done reasonably well, so we’re full of confidence as well.

“I’m hoping for a good game of football and hopefully we can come away with three points - but it’s not going to be easy.

“Bromley have got some decent players so hopefully it will be an entertaining game and we come out with a win.

With both Kent sides unbeaten, Day wants to play his part inflicting the first defeat on their neighbours.

“Hopefully it will be Bromley (who lose first) but like I say we’ll go there and try and get three points. Obviously we’re not going to win every game and we will get a defeat at some stage. Hopefully we can continue the little run we’ve set and stop them getting another win on their board.”

Day (who was speaking before news filtered through about the club’s High Court visit) is optimistic about the club’s future - he has even helped with the appointment of a new commercial manager, Richard Pleydell.

“I spoke to (club owner) Barrie Hobbins at the weekend and I think they were quietly confident that today was going to be ok and we’d get the transfer embargo lifted as well, so fingers crossed that will be sorted and we can add a few players to the squad to take to Saturday against Bromley.”

Speaking about the commercial manager, Day said: “It’s a friend of mine, who I spoke to and wants to come in and try to cut the costs and look for some money to bring in money into the club. Hopefully he can do his best and the club raises the money they haven’t in the past.”

With off-the-field problems such as this, it could so easily affected matters on the pitch.

But Day said: “We’ve targeted the players we wanted to bring in, both for their football ability and their character as well and they’ve shown that.

“The ones that haven’t played, when we’ve won they’ve been on the pitch cheering. I said to them last night we’ve got a squad of 18 players and everyone will get a chance. We have to keep everyone happy. So far I think the boys have been first class and it’s a credit to them, but it’s still early doors and there’s a long way to go.”

For more details on sponsorship at Welling United, Richard Pleydell can be contacted on 07720 888 320 or by email richardpleydell@hotmail.com.

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

Bromley v Welling United

Blue Square Bet South

Saturday 28th August 2010

Kick Off 3:00pm

At Hayes Lane, Bromley, Kent BR2 9EF