Having presided over Welling United’s comfortable victory over Eastbourne Borough, manager Jamie Coyle stated that he was in no hurry to get himself back on to the pitch.

“If we win games, I’m more than happy standing on the side.” he said. “I think, naturally you always miss playing but the natural transition for someone at my age, and at this stage of my career, is to step away. I’ve got faith in my position (centre half) and it’s a lot more comfortable for me to step away and do that.

“I can get through games through my experience and reading games but we’ve got ‘Ach’ (Anthony Acheampong) and he’s got the athleticism as well, which is great.”

Acheampong has come in on loan from Dulwich Hamlet and Coyle explained “He’s a man. He’s a man that we need. I’ve said it before, we are very very young and Ach is a real demanding, commanding leader that I’ve played alongside and I know what he offers. He just needs games.

“I’ll take him for the season if I can but we’ll see. Initially it’s a month but we’ll manage it on a monthly basis.”

On the game against Eastbourne itself, Coyle said “Irrelevant of how we got them, we needed the three points after our recent run of results and I’m really pleased because it’s been a rough week off the pitch. From Thursday, the boys have rallied together and they’ve given a decent display today.

“First half, it was two sides you could tell that were low on confidence. It was cagey. We scored from our only shot of the half really. I don’t think that Jon (Jonathan Miles) had a single shot (to save) so that’s a great step forward for us in terms of the goals that we’ve conceded. I’m more pleased with the clean sheet than anything else.”

Elliott Romain scored a second half brace in the last game of his one month loan spell and Coyle had nothing but praise for him. “Today, he was the spark. He was the cog that made that actually happen. I said to Tristan (Lewis) on the side, considering he hasn’t been playing, his fitness and his desire is unbelievable and he’s been great. Outside of his two goals today, his work-rate has given a massive impact on us and allowed us to get higher up the pitch.”

As much as Coyle would love to extend the loan, he appreciates the need to balance his playing budget. He said “I’ll have to speak to the Chairman. Obviously we’d love to keep him here but I’m not sure if we’re in a position or not. It’s certainly something we’ll have to have a chat about.”

Speaking about other personnel, Coyle spoke first about Miles saying “He was the highest goalkeeper we’ve had this year in terms of sweeping from behind which gives you a lot more confidence as a centre half as you get higher up the pitch.

“I could hear him from the side, and that’s the biggest thing. We need a man in goal. We need a man to command his box and talk to his back four. It gives you confidence. I’m really pleased that he started his first game with a clean sheet.”

Harley Willard came on as a substitute for his first Welling appearance following his transfer from Maidstone United. Coyle said “His feet are so quick. Everyone I’ve spoken to when he’s been on loan, and what I’ve seen at Maidstone, he’s an asset, he really is. He adds a lot more quality going forward with set pieces as well.

Sean Francis has gone out on loan to Kingstonian, but Coyle confirmed that the door is not shut for him. Christian Nanetti was not in the squad but he was at the ground and Coyle explained ‘Nanetti’s been made available but his attitude has been phenomenal.

“I spoke to him today and he wants to stay and fight for his place. He knows that going forward he hasn’t been great for us in the last month and it’s something that we’ve looked at and spoken about at training. What I like about him is that he’s honest and you don’t get many players who hold their hand up and say that I need to improve in this area.

“He’s going to come in with my academy and do extra sessions on deliveries and quality in the final third and they’re the players you want to manage. I’m really pleased with the conversation I’ve had with him today. I’ve never questioned his work-rate. His work-rate this year has been great.”

Goalkeeper Calum Kitscha played twice for Welling but was short of match sharpness so he was allowed to get some games under his belt but injury struck him immediately. Coyle said “He’s still registered but he broke his finger playing in his first game elsewhere.

Another dual registered player, Christie Pattisson returned to Phoenix Sports and Coyle explained “He’s still our player. He’s still on loan getting game time and playing every week which he needs to do at his age.”

Due to the fact that Welling’s scheduled opponents next Saturday are still in the F.A. Trophy so they have no fixture. Coyle said “We haven’t got a game for the next two weeks so we can have a friendly next Tuesday, if we can get a venue, with Dulwich Hamlet.”

Pictures supplied by Dave Budden.