Williams' on the end of bitter-sweet derby day defeat

Friday 26th December 2008

BROMLEY goalkeeper Gareth Williams admitted that his Christmas has been ruined - after Kent rivals Welling United came away from Hayes Lane with a deserved 3-1 win today, writes Stephen McCartney.

With manager Mark Goldberg not at the game, Bromley took a first half lead, totally against the run of play, through Warren McBean’s 12th goal of the season.

But the Wings fought back with Charlie Sheringham, Tony Sinclair and Moses Ademola netting in the space of nine minutes towards the end of the game to claim the local bragging rights.

Despite Williams’ professionalism during Christmas Day, defeat was bitter-sweet for the former Sutton United stopper.

“I was trying to be sensible yesterday, watching everybody else eating the food and I was trying to stay away from the sweets,” Williams told BBC Radio Kent afterwards.

“I locked myself in the bedroom to stay away from the sweets, but I’m going to eat myself silly when I get home.

“But I’m not sure about 1 o’clock kick off’s, but we’re free for the rest of the day, but it’s been ruined by losing.”

The goalkeeper was pleased with his team-mates first half reaction, following last week’s 4-0 defeat at Maidenhead United.

“Our first half performance was great,” he said of today‘s derby. “It was a perfect response from Maidenhead last week, where we lost 4-0.

“It was important that we came out fighting and working hard and we matched them.

“I think we deserved to be 1-0 up, but second half we came out and we thought we done enough but the in-experience in the side, we’re a young team, but you can’t keep making that as an excuse.

“It’s not good enough, you can’t give away goals from set-pieces, it’s so frustrating.

“Even with (twenty) minutes to go, we’re 1-0 up. We had a bit of pressure for ten minutes and I thought we’d get through it and I thought we’re through the worst and then three goals inside ten minutes, it just kills you and knocks everything out of you.”

Williams wants revenge from the return fixture, at Park View Road, on New Years Day.

He said: “I know that’s a nice sober New Years for all of us. We’re part-time players, but we do get paid and people do come and watch us so it’s our responsibility to try and be as professional as possible about it.

“There should be a lot more determination to put today right so I can’t see no excuse for anyone turning up smelling of booze next week.

“If it happens, we’ll it won’t happen, but we’ll be ready and firing to go next week.”

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