Despite scoring early Welling United could not hold on and will have to host Faversham Town in a replay in their FA Cup First Qualifying Round tie. After the match, Welling manager Ryan Maxwell gave his views.

“We knew it would be a tough game for sure. In my opinion, they’ll win their league. We’re away from home on their 3g pitch and they’ve got a very, very good squad. They’ll win their league so they’re a step three side really. There’s boys in there that went up from our division last year, so they’ve got a very good squad and some very good players. It was a very, very difficult draw.”

It took Welling just two minutes to go ahead. Maxwell said “We started really well as we did versus Ramsgate, played some good football and felt as if we needed more than that. I think we just came off it that little touch, a couple of sloppy moments. If we’d just focussed on us playing football we would have made more chances, but we didn’t. I thought one-nil at half time we probably needed another one, so the instruction was to go for a second goal rather than trying to defend it.

“We brought Troy (Howard) on, whose not fully fit yet and Zuriel (Otweh-Taiwo)’s missed the past couple of games and the pair of them, not having that bit of communication, so it was in that area where it comes out to. (the equalizer) I’m not blaming anybody for it. I’m just saying that someone might have got there prior to the subs. And we hit the post before that anyway. He should probably have scored and made it two-nil but it was an away from home performance in a lot of ways, one-nil up and then you have to defend it a little bit unless you get two and put it to bed, but we didn’t so overall I would say a draw would be a fair result if I was honest so we’re back at PVR on Tuesday, freshen up, recover, and go again.”

On the point of recovery, Maxwell knows that some are ready quicker than others. “The boys will be given something to do Sunday and Monday to prepare as best they can.” he said. “Ryan Kingsford wasn’t available today. He is on Tuesday. He was one that we were missing. It was a tough game today and we’ve got the chance to bring them back to our ground.”

As is more and more the case now, there was a good, noisy contingent of supporters from Welling. Maxwell was delighted with them saying “A big thank you. They’re fantastic. Our away support are second to none. We love their support. The players are very appreciative, as am I, and see you Tuesday, get the drum beating.”

Ryan Blackman was outstanding just in front of the back four. He took a knock and tried to run it off, but had to be substituted. Maxwell said “Hopefully, he’s fine because he was fantastic today. He was brilliant. I hope he’s alright. I think he’s alright.” Blackman won many headers at the back against far taller strikers in a man of the match performance. “He’s great in the air.” continued Maxwell. “He’s got great timing. He stays there, hangs, and punches it back. He’s brilliant at that. He’s injury is just a little impact, and he should be good to go again on Tuesday.”

He was also pleased to have Louie Ramsay making his first team debut having sustained injury in pre-season, however, it may have been a week or two too soon. “Rambo hasn’t done anything and he’s had to play today from the start, and he lasted today about 65 (minutes).” admitted Maxwell. “Amazing effort. He played well, as well, so I was disappointed that we had to take him off, but we had to.”

Midway through the second period, Faversham changed the way they played as they were struggling to create chances. Maxwell said “They can change it because they’ve got the personnel. They’ve got a big squad here. They did change their tactics a little bit in the second half, but I thought our two centre halves were brilliant. They’ve got players like Jack Evans, and they are a good team. It’s no wonder that they’ve scored 4, 4, 4, and 3 at home. They’re a good side. You’ve got to match them and we did. We know that they’re a good side, and we can certainly confirm that after today, so we know it’s going to be a tough game, no easier than today, but we do have home advantage (in the replay).”