There were over one hundred and fifty Welling supporters at Wingate and Finchley to help the hosts record their highest home gate of the season.
After the game, Ryan Maxwell was keen to praise his team’s followers for the part that they played in gaining a big point on the road. “It was great to see so many here” he said. “They were in great voice as well. I did ask for as many Welling fans to get here as possible and they answered and turned up in their numbers. They were brilliant today. It was like a home game today, absolutely fantastic. I can’t thank them enough. I think the boys got their energy and it played a massive part in getting the equaliser so late on. Huge, huge thanks to the fans, much appreciated.”
On to the game itself, Maxwell said “They only had one real effort in the first half and scored. We couldn’t get out. The wind was so strong that we couldn’t get out much. We hit the post with our one chance from a corner. It was really going to be a game of two halves. I think if we’d come in at nil-nil we’d have won the game, I do believe that.
“We’ve had to react from quite an early goal, as I say, we’ve hit the post gone in at one-nil and we fully believed that we would score. We missed a penalty, we had to react again, but this team have shows great character, loads of character, which is what we’ve needed of late. We’ve hit the post as well so we’ve hit the post, the bar and missed a penalty. Some people would say it’s not going to be your day but this team fights on.”
Having made attacking substitutions and adjusting the formation, Welling finally got the winner. Maxwell said “We changed the shape, went a bit braver, took a centre half off and put one on, went three at the back, wing backs, two up front and finally we got a goal out of it so I think anybody connected to the club today, everybody, deserves credit.”
Ten minutes into the second half, Welling were awarded a penalty that Ade Azeez fired over. Although, had he scored, the Wings would have had over half an hour to find the winner, Maxwell was keen to say that nobody was pointing the finger at the striker. “To be honest, Ade did well to play.” admitted Maxwell. “Ade had an appointment this morning to relieve pain in his back. He’s a warrior. Most people would have not played today. Ade will get nothing but praise. We know how difficult it was for Ade, physically, a lot of pain, but he is a warrior and that man’s been unbelievable for us and will continue to be so. He’s missed a spot kick but, believe me, the boys in there don’t hold it against him. He’s so vital to us. Showed super character to be here today. He put himself in that position to take it and we move on from it.”
Quality on the substitute’s bench, now, is pleasing Maxwell as well. Maxwell confirmed “A manager wants to know that players will come on and get straight into the game. Jamie (Reynolds)’s done it a few times. (Noah) Stewart came on last week and scored so we’ve got a good fit and healthy squad that make an impact, and that’s what you need right now. You want subs that make an impact. That’s their job and they’re doing the job for the team and I’m delighted with that.”
News during the week that Hashtag United have requested voluntary relegation has changed the complexion at the bottom of the league, but Maxwell did not want to dwell on that. “I haven’t cared what anyone else is doing since I came here and I won’t start now.” he confirmed. “It’s all about looking after my own house at Welling United Football Club and that’s the motto that we’ve had since we came here. We’re unbeaten in three, two wins and a draw. We’ve got to continue what we’re doing. We’re not going to change anything, just keep doing what we’re doing and take care of ourselves.
“We’re unbeaten in three so that’s a new achievement here.” he added. “It would have been nice to have got the three wins because that hasn’t happened for a couple of years now, that Welling’s won three games in a row. We deserved to win the game, hit the post twice, missed a penalty, more than enough to have won the game. We didn’t, but we didn’t lose it. We’d have lost it in the past but now this team has developed and I said to the boys that I’m so proud of the performance. We didn’t get what we deserved but just keep repeating the performances and we’ll be alright. I was really, really pleased with how we kept putting them under pressure. We didn’t feel sorry for ourselves. We kept going and scored in the last minute.”
Looking at the goal itself, although it came from a long ball out by Mackenzie Foley, it was definitely a pass and not a clearance. Maxwell confirmed “He deliberately picked him out and that’s what we have with Mackenzie. We have an unbelievable goalkeeper. Unbelievable saver, and unbelievable striker of the ball. He’s a great lad, love him to bits, and he’s picked out Troy who’s just plucked it out of the sky and finished with aplomb. What a finish. That is top drawer at this level. Last week it’s an overhead kick for the assist and this week it’s an unbelievable sublime finish. Tremendous for him. Let’s hope that we see some more of those dramatic somersaults.”
Now that the deadline for transfers has passed, there will be no further squad changes and Maxwell has no issues with his squad. “We’ve closed the doors.” he said.
“I’m very happy with it. Everyone is capable of doing a bit in different positions. We’ve got balance, youth and experience. I’m pleased with what we have. We just have to remain a united team now, and fight in every single game.”