Kodi Lyons-Foster’s second goal of the season was sufficient for Welling United to claim a crucial three points against play-off hopefuls Bath City. After the game, Welling manager Warren Feeney gave his views.

“I was confident going into it. I was disappointed the other night but I’m delighted for the players, for this football club, the people on the board, and behind the scenes.”

“Every game we’ve been in, we’ve been competitive. We just need that little bit of luck. Bath are a good side, a tough team, and they came into the game with one defeat in six, which was last week so I’m pleased for everyone associated today to go and get that win, especially the clean sheet.”

He continued: “I thought we looked comfortable. I thought the first half we tried to play on the front foot, just that little bit of quality, at times, in the final third could have got us a goal but I made that decision to move Dunney (James Dunne) up.”

“You’ve got Taylor (Maloney), you’ve got Christie (Pattisson), three good players, Christie with his pace, Taylor and Dunney, good footballers and you’ve got Manny (Parry) behind them who’s a physical presence, he’s great in the air, and I thought it worked a treat today.”

“You’ve got to look at games and see how you can affect but I’m really pleased for Manny. He always cares about the boys, he’s given us everything. I made my mind up on Tuesday after the game (against Taunton). I phoned him and told him ‘you’re starting on Saturday’.”

“People raised their eyebrows, being honest, my own staff. I’ve got great staff round me, great honest people, and that’s what I want, challenged (me) but I just thought Manny’s one of them.”

“I’ve watched him lately, he’s honest, he’s around the boys, he’s a big presence, a big character in the changing room and when the chips are down, that’s what you need. The big characters. He gives you that bit of security.”

Twenty-four hours earlier, there had been all sorts of drama when it became apparent that goalkeeper Myles Roberts would not be fit to play.

With Kai McKenzie-Lyle away on international duty it meant that Welling had no goalkeeper available, so they had to apply for an emergency loan.

“People think that you turn up at twelve and go home at seven on a Saturday but Mr Cooke and the board, it wasn’t happening.” said Feeney.

“Watford have been brilliant with Myles, but Myles has a kittle bit of a tear in his hip flexor.

“We still didn’t have a goalkeeper by six (o’clock) and I want to thank the hard work of the people behind the scenes. Maidstone have been brilliant for what they have done so I’m really pleased to get it over the line. I know Yusuf (Mersin). I had him at Crawley. I took him out to Bulgaria with me and he trained for a few weeks and I know a club came in for him on deadline day and try and get him so I’m pleased that he has come in and kept a clean sheet.”

“The people behind the scenes today, that (win)’s for them because they certainly worked hard.”

“I think Myles will be back. We’ve got Yusuf on an emergency loan but we’ve got to see how Myles is. Kai will be back. You can’t stop players when they’re called up at international level so we thank everyone at Maidstone, and for the people who worked so hard to get him in.”

Two players returned to the club on transfer deadline day on loans until the end of the season. Dylan Gavin from Charlton Athletic and Leyton Orient’s Daniel Nkrumah. Although Gavin started against Bath, Nkrumah could not.

Feeney explained: “We needed to get him in before the deadline day but Dan’s had a little bit of an injury. The boys’ faces lit up when he walked in. Dylan will come in. He will get fitter. He’s not played in a while but he’ll run around. He’s honest.”

Picture supplied by Dave Budden.