I’d like to welcome our regular supporters and those of you here on Community Day for the first time and hope you get three points, like what you see and give us another try!
We’ve had 10 days or so break since our last game and it’s done us good. A couple of the boys who were injured have had time to get a couple of sessions under their belts and hopefully it’s worked in our favour.
Our previous game against Bromley was a tight one and it was always going to be a single mistake or someone producing a moment of brilliance to win it. We didn’t create much but the game was heading for a draw, which at least would have been something to build on and keep the unbeaten league run going, but it wasn’t to be so now we simply have to get on a run and win games.
I know there were plenty of comments about the referee flying about and, yes, some of his decisions, particularly in regard to Adam Cunnington, were peculiar. But it’s always a tough job for officials and it was our lapse in concentration that ultimately cost us. That was the difference in the game.
We will have another tight game at Bromley again in a week or so. Their pitch has taken a bit of a battering so it’s another one where we’re going to have go there, roll our sleeves up and get engaged in a bit of a battle and hopefully exact a measure of revenge for last Tuesday.
But first we have today’s game and it’s another tough one. Hemel are a really good side and we’ll have to get back to our best. If we’re going to stand any chance now of the play-offs we have to win these games. Whoever we play, we have to get three points. We need to get on a run of winning three or four on the spin. It just puts the pressure back on teams above us. But we haven’t done that and we’re not doing it at the moment. We’re not making up enough ground so while we have to – as the cliché goes – take each game as it comes, the reality is we have to win a succession of games to put us back up there.
But whilst we’re saying we need to win the games, there are four or five other clubs in the zone and four or five more coming into it saying the same and signing players to that end. Hemel and Concord have come into the reckoning now and all those teams in and around us are still signing players to push on.
I’d like to wish Preston Edwards all the best on his 200th club appearance today. He’s been out a bit this season as Brandon Hall had come in for him through a suspension, and now it’s just worked the other way round with Preston keeping his place. As I said when Joe Howe passed the 200 mark, it’s a sign of quality and consistency and a commendable achievement.
These notes were written before Thursday’s meet-the-manager night. I did two or three of those in my time at Welling and they’re a good way to get over our plans as a management group and as a club. Hopefully it served as a good indication of where we’re at and allowed you to put over your opinions and questions. I think this is a good way for us to hear what you have to say. Together we should be able to develop a clear message and understanding between us all.
On the injuries front we have some good news as players start to return. Anthony Acheampong and Dean Rance both trained in the week while Matt Godden and Alex Osborn are back in full training too, so that’s four players on the verge of being available again. It makes for a better squad and gives me more options.
Matt Johnson’s still struggling with a shoulder injury so we have to see how that develops while Westy has been involved in non-contact training. I’m hoping he’ll be able to take part in more contact-based activities next week. Aiden Palmer has done a fair bit of running and trained once but is still limping a little bit while Charlie Sheringham had a scan during the week as his hip hasn’t improved.
That’s it from me. Enjoy the game!
