Three points and a clean sheet gave Welling United the perfect start to 2026 as they beat Wingate and Finchley in their Isthmian League Premier Division encounter.

Afterwards, Welling manager Ryan Maxwell shared his views. “I’m unbelievably proud.” he said.

“One (player) wasn’t going to play today, and one didn’t play. Chris Arthur was a ‘no’, and Junior (Savane) was really struggling today. I don’t know how many minutes he managed to play today, fifty-five, maybe sixty, but he was in real pain today. It wasn’t ideal but as I try and educate the boys, you’re never going to play fully fit. You’ve got to grit your teeth and get on with it and that’s what I’m trying to install in them. He did that very well.”

Maxwell changed the formation from recent games and added “We chucked in Ade (Azeez) from the start, two up front, changed the shape and I thought that worked well.

“We got a little bit of difference in the shape when we didn’t have the ball but things that we worked on mentally, they worked. I was really pleased with the boys mentally, taking on instructions and following them out.”

Despite the win, and confidence boost, Maxwell is aware of the work ahead “We have to be realistic and not get carried away.” he confirmed. “This isn’t my first rodeo and if you get carried away you get caught so we won’t get carried away. This is just a work in progress but what was good today was that good players, or more intelligent players, are easier to coach.

“You don’t have to break everything down on Tuesday and Thursday. Usually, a good player will understand more so we have to use this as a platform but you can’t get carried away. Every game for us is the most important game. Whether we had won, lost, or drawn today, it’s on to the next one. That’s the attitude you have to have in this situation.”

Four players made their full debuts and a fifth newcomer came on as a substitute. Maxwell gave his views on their performances. He said “I thought Dean Gunner was outstanding today. Absolutely outstanding.

“The new lad Sam (Oguntayo) hasn’t really got his match fitness. He’s got the experience and the natural athleticism to get through today, and I thought that he was brilliant as well. He wants to get forward but today he couldn’t because he wouldn’t have been able to have got back. His natural instincts are to get forward. He’s an attacking left back.

“Ade was great. He’s hurt his eye. He couldn’t see out of one of his eyes, bless him. We’ll make sure he’s okay now, hopefully he is, but he was doing brilliantly when he was on.

“The goalkeeper (Mackenzie Foley) was superb, managed his box well, kicked brilliantly. He gave the boys some composure and calmness in front of him. He made a couple of good claims. He kept a clean sheet and I’m pleased for him. His kicking is one of the reasons that we signed him.

“He has improved that part of his game and fair play to him. He made a brilliant debut and he has a composed, calmness about him. He’s not the irate type. He’s a level headed goalkeeper and I think that helps that the boys in front of him know that he’s got it, he’s okay and that helps the back four.”

On substitute Ayman El-Mogharbel, Maxwell added “You saw him when he came on, he robbed people of the ball, he played the ball down the channels. I call him the wasp. He’s noisy, he’s annoying but in a loving way, he’s an unbelievable lad and he’ll be a proper Welling player, full of aggression, full of desire to run hard, and he can get a goal too.”

When Savane had to be withdrawn, Maxwell moved centre midfielder and captain, Jack Thomas to right back. He explained “Jack attacks everything with full heart. Maybe a header, a tackle or a pass or a mental challenge. That’s why I can trust Jack. I managed him at two different clubs, Braintree and Sittingbourne, I know him inside and out.

“I don’t know how many games he’s played there but he has the characteristics, the natural aptitude, to do that. He did play well there, and he looked like he’d played there before, many, many times. I’m not surprised. I even flirted with the idea of playing Jack at centre half today when it turned out that Chris couldn’t play. I think that he can play there, he reads the game, he’s tough in the tackle, and good in the air.”

Lekan Majoyegbe scored the only goal and made a crucial late defensive intervention. Maxwell joked “If only you knew what I sent him last night. I sent him something about defending and being the difference. Great defenders do get it off the line but also score and he’s just done both in the same game, outstanding. I’m so happy for him.

“He’s one I’ve inherited and from what I hear, his performances have just rocketed since we came in. Sometimes it just needs a different environment, maybe a voice, maybe an approach, maybe different demands or maybe a centre half partner because when you talk about great centre halves, you always need a pair and I think that it’s helped him since Chris (Arthur) came in. To get the goal, I’m delighted for him. He works hard, he shows a great attitude.”

Image courtesy of Keith Gillard