Victory over Hungerford Town ensured that Welling United didn’t suffer a winless October leaving manager Warren Feeney pleased.

In four league games, and one F.A. Cup tie, the Wings had claimed just two points and a win was much needed to stop their season from going off-track.

Welling struggled to create much until late in the first half, but it took an impressive performance from Hungerford goalkeeper Tyla Dickinson to stop the Wings from winning comfortably.

After the game, Welling manager Warren Feeney gave his comments “After the first half performance I would have taken one-nil.” he said. “We weren’t good enough, we were flat, anxious, a wee bit nervous but I thought that the second half was more like us. We had a lot of chances but if you’re not taking them, you’re always worried that they’re going to get a chance.”

On another day, Ade Azeez might have had goals, but Feeney was not worried that he hadn’t converted his opportunities. “I’m a big believer that you’ve got to be there to miss chances.” said Feeney.

“He knows today that he missed a few but I’m never going to shout at my strikers.

“We could have been a bit more comfortable, but it gives my defenders a little bit more desire to keep clean sheets. They’ve got a clean sheet and I’m delighted with it, and with the three points. If you keep a clean sheet first, you’ve always got a chance and that’s why you hear me from the side line shouting just love defending. We’ve done that today.”

Last Saturday Welling drew an epic game at Ebbsfleet but lost badly on Tuesday evening before beating Hungerford. “When you’re at this level, you get inconsistency. Against Ebbsfleet we put in a fantastic performance with nine men. We go to Braintree and mistakes. It’s hard after Tuesday night to pick it up and the first half performance wasn’t good enough, lethargic, we were lumbered. I told them at half time to stop being anxious and in the second half we could have run out more comfortable winners.”

Devonte Aransibia came off the substitute’s bench, and within four minutes, had scored Welling’s only goal. “He’s been chomping at the bit to get on.” admitted Feeney.

“He’s been rapping my door. It’s very brave to do what he did today. To come on from being in and out and to take the penalty straight away and to score. I thought his performance was very good and it certainly gives me a headache.”

Welling were hampered by being reduced to ten men when Amadou Kassarate was sent off. Feeney’s opinion was that the decision was harsh. He said “Jack (Packman), the referee, is probably the best we’ve had. I like him a lot. He talks to you. He said it was the speed of the tackle. I’m not going to criticise the ref, but I don’t think that it was a red card. Jack’s made a decision and we’ll stand by that, but we’ll look at the appeal because I think that it’s open to it.”

Due to injuries and suspensions, Welling had three youngsters on the bench, but Feeney doesn’t see using youth as a problem. He said “We have a squad but you’re always going to get injuries. There are forty-six games in a season. We’ve had a couple of suspensions, a couple of niggles, and I thought let’s give the kids a chance.

“I want these boys around me. When you throw a baby in the water you know the baby’s going to swim. They’ve got to be ready but Cameron (Andrews) trains well. The boy’s enthusiastic, he enjoys it, and I’m delighted he got out there and he could have scored. David Kamara’s on the bench and he is sixteen. I wanted to get him on but with what happened with the red card, I couldn’t.”

Sid Nelson, on loan from Woking, went off injured shortly after the half hour mark, and Tom Dickens replaced him. “I’ve chased Sid for years at clubs I’ve been at.” said Feeney. “He’s aggressive, he’s a centre back, he wants to defend. I think that him, Jamie (Sendles-White) and Manny (Parry) all bounce off each other. They know how to manage the game. He’s had a little niggle with his knee, and we’ll assess it. It’s one of them that could be okay tomorrow.

“Tom came in and he did a fantastic job. He’s been unlucky because he’s only nineteen, so he’s got a big future ahead of him and he was one of the team today that got a fantastic victory.”

Goalkeeper Kai McKenzie-Lyle had a quiet game for once but was immaculate in all that he did do.

Feeney said “All credit to Hollers, the goalkeeping coach Craig (Holloway). He works him hard.

“We’ve got two fantastic keepers here. There’s nothing better to see that when the ball comes into the box, he’s six foot four, when you’re under pressure. He’s a great boy, professional, and he’s in the team now, and enjoying his football. Long may it continue.”

Picture supplied by Dave Budden.