New look Welling United won their first Isthmian League Premier Division match under Ryan Maxwell at home to Cheshunt.

After the match, he shared his thoughts. “I’m absolutely delighted.” he said.

“The performance, there was a lot in it. I wouldn’t say that it was complete because we didn’t keep a clean sheet. First of all we took the lead then one each and I thought ‘what will our reaction be like?’”

“That was going to be key. The reaction was positive, not because of the score-line but we actually got into the game straight away again. That was important today that we had real strong character regardless of what the scoreline was going to be.”

“We showed character and we also showed some belief today, not just from coming back from one-one, but I thought we actually played some good stuff, especially in the second half. There’s more to do. They’re a good side Cheshunt, they make you defend.”

“They’ve got a bit of ability, they’ve got a bit of pace, they’re a difficult side and they’ve been doing what they do for a while. They’re settled. We’ve had three debutants today and you have to take that into consideration. I’m so pleased with the overall performance.”

“It showed real desire, we defended really well. I know we conceded a penalty that looked a bit suspect but may well have been. I’d have loved a clean sheet at one-nil but I’ll certainly take the ebb and flow of the game, going to one all and coming back to win three-one.”

Three players. Sonny Black, goalkeeper Roraigh Browne, and Troy Howard made their debuts and Maxwell was delighted with them all, but not just them.

He added “Jamie Reynolds’ ball to him (Howard) as well. It was his second game. We’ve got to bed these players in. It will take a while to see a real Ryan Maxwell like team but that was certainly a good indication of what you’re going to get going forward.”

“Troy’s been great for me. A super player that I had at a previous club and he’s come up trumps again today. I’m not surprised. It’s not the first time he’s done it and I hope it’s not the last time.”

“Brilliant for the young goalkeeper. It’s a difficult scenario with where we are in the league. I thought he showed good character, nice and confident so real fair play to him. I liked his kicking. Good presence. The boys felt quite comfortable with him behind them, which is important.”

“Look at the performance today. Nobody wavered, no-one disappeared, everybody stayed in the fight. We didn’t take a backward step and that’s what I demand.”

On the touchline, Maxwell showed enormous passion, and was full of encouragement for his players. He explained “I’m a very competitive, robust type person. I can’t sit with my legs folded or hold a clipboard. Klopp’s the same isn’t he?”

“I’m not doing anything that hasn’t been done before. I’m probably more demanding than most, and if you’re going to be demanding, do you want to do something for someone who tells you that’s rubbish? That’s in general, in any working life.”

“I know what I would say to that person. Ultimately, we want to get the best out of them and to get the best out of them, surely you’ve got to say well done. If you want them to try something, you want them to keep trying with no fear about it not being completed at that particular time.”

“If you don’t tell them well done, or unlucky, they might not do it and the whole thing falls about. I’m always going to be positive and give encouragement to them, always.”

So far this season, Welling have failed to keep a clean sheet in the league and Maxwell knows that has to change. “We want to make sure we’re hard to play against and that means clean sheets.” he said.

“I think they understand what’s worked today. You can win a game of football and get nothing out of it but if you win a game of football and understand how you’ve won, then you can grow.”

“As a club and as a team we need to make sure that we never come off without a hardest worker in the room attitude. The hardest worker in the room gains opportunity and if you haven’t got that, you won’t play for me. Every player has earned their corn and played for their shirt today.”

Picture supplied by Peter Jozwiak.