An early Welling United goal proved decisive as they claimed a home derby win against Ramsgate in the Isthmian League Premier Division. After the match, Welling manager Ryan Maxwell gave his thoughts.

“That was a good slog.” he said. “That was a proper one-nil win if there ever was one. We should have been a little bit more comfortable coming in at half time. We were certainly worthy of two (goals). (I was) Really pleased with the first half, style of play. We played some beautiful football.”

It was different in the second half when the Wings played up the slope. Maxwell admitted: “We had to defend long throws into the box. I think we defended resolutely. Real, real warriors out there today and I’m absolutely delighted with another home win, and another clean sheet.”

So far this season, Welling have won three out of three at home so Park View Road is becoming something of a fortress. “I set out to make it one.” he confirmed.

“It used to be many years ago, I want it again. There is a massive target for us to make this place a place where you get your hardest game of the season. That’s my goal. We’re working towards it, it’s working so far but we are far from done.”

Those home clean sheets, along with the one at Dartford, means that Welling have already equalled the number recorded in the league last season. Maxwell beamed: “I’m delighted with it, absolutely delighted. If you keep the most clean sheets you pretty much win the league. We know it’s a massive target to achieve that and, as you saw today, the boys will put their bodies on the line to achieve it.”

“You’ve got a chance when you’ve got boys who are willing to sacrifice themselves to do so, and these boys are willing to sacrifice themselves for the result and the clean sheet.”

Over the last three weeks, Welling have defeated three teams who have set out and played very different styles. “The squad’s adaptable.” said Maxwell.

“It’s got a bit of everything in it. The squad gives me the luxury or the tools to change tactic and style. We might have to win ugly a number of times and we’re willing to do so. We’re not always going to win like we did last week and we’re prepared for that. We’re ready to go to war and that’s the mindset.”

Having played at Dartford, Ramsgate was the second of four derbies and Maxwell admitted how much he loves them, He said: “It’s a great scenario to be in. I love it, and I think the players do too. They’re exciting. The players will be excited, the fans will be excited so bring them on.”

For a couple of players, it has been tough as they played in the first three games but have not been in the sixteen over the last two games. Maxwell knows that they will get opportunities again and said: “The squad has got to be strong and, at times, people will have to come out, even if they’ve played well, tactically, and for a rest, and that’s what I’ve had to create on quite a small budget so to do so, so I’ve had to recruit very carefully.”

“Players who can play more than one position as well. T (Tyrell Miller-Rodney) has filled in at right back twice now in two consecutive games and it’s important that we have players that are ready want to be coached to play in different positions and we have. We’ve got those players.”

Picture supplied by Keith Gillard.