Clinging on to hopes of reaching the play-offs, Welling United crashed to a surprising defeat at Whitehawk for whom defeat would have confirmed relegation.

Welling manager Jamie Coyle wasn’t expecting such a lack-lustre display and was at a loss to explain it. “It’s tough to analyse it.”he said. “I said to the boys, in both boxes we weren’t good enough.”

Gold Otomayo was sent off for Whitehawk in the first half and Coyle continued “In seventy minutes playing against ten men, I don’t think their goalkeeper has had a save to make so that summarises our day today. In the other box we didn’t defend two set pieces and we’ve switched off and they’ve capitalised.

“We just weren’t good enough and it’s a concern. We aren’t creating enough chances in games and we can’t keep relying on keeping clean sheets every week.”

On a wide pitch, there was a suggestion that the ten men could have been stretched more by bringing on a natural wide player but Coyle disagreed saying “I don’t think it was anything to do with tactics today. We just didn’t defend well enough in our box and we didn’t create enough opportunities at the other end.

“It’s not just today. It’s the last four or five weeks now. We’re not creating enough chances and we’re not working the goalkeeper. As I say, you can’t keep trying to rely on keeping clean sheets and nicking a goal. We’ve got some real good players in our team but we’re not creating anything.”

Now that the transfer window has closed, Coyle has no choice other than to work with his threadbare squad. “We can’t change anything because we can’t sign anyone.” He said. “We’ve got to work with what we’ve got. We can work on training as we have done all season but we need players to turn up on match days and having that quality with the final ball and actually finish it when we have the chances.”

Unlike previous games, it wasn’t purely creativity that was in short supply at Whitehawk. Coyle said  “I think that today we were a little bit out battled and that’s the first time that I can really say that for months.

“I thought physically they were stronger today and in areas of the pitch they out-worked us. It’s tough to take because we’ve worked so hard for the last three or four months to get where we are and give ourselves a chance as it was unacceptable today.”

Adam Coombes’ absence has been a massive blow to Welling and Coyle confirmed that the club is unsure when he will be able to return. “We don’t (know).” he said. “Apparently it’s a little bit of nerve but we’re missing him up there, it’s clear to see that, but we can’t rush him back because we don’t want any long term problems with him. We’ll analyse it and have a look at it and the physio, in his own chiropractic clinic, is treating him on a daily basis so we’ve just got to wait and see how he is.”

Tom Bradbrook helped out having gone into semi-retirement but he was sent off harshly in the closing stages and will be suspended for the last three league games. “It’s a shame.” said Coyle. “I don’t think it was a red card.

“It was from the side and he did attempt to get the ball but as referees do, they like to try and even things up when they have already sent someone off and that’s what he’s done today.”

However, Coyle did not believe that the team could hide behind the refereeing. He said “We can’t use the officials as an excuse today even though that’s a decision that’s gone against us, as even with him on the pitch we didn’t look like scoring a goal today and that’s something we have to address.”

Picture supplied by Dave Budden.