One of the Welling United supporters favourites during the Jamie Day era returned on loan to the club ready for the home game with Grimsby Town.

Ross Lafayette scored many of the goals that saw Welling United win the Conference South title two seasons ago. With limited opportunities at his parent club, Luton Town, it is hoped that he can repeat the feat to keep the Wings in the Vanarama Conference Premier.

“Speaking to John Still, my minutes were going to be limited. When Loui and Matt took over, speaking to them, there was the opportunity for me to come down and play games.”

“I know the club, I know the management, I know a lot of the boys, felt I could contribute, get some goals and hopefully get some points on the board and stay up.”

“I got a great welcome from the fans and it was frustrating not to score. There was a header and I thought it was a stick on penalty that might have given me an opportunity. It was a frustrating game and we started timidly”

Earlier in the year, he had a month on loan at Woking. “It gave me game time after coming back from surgery. I played some games with the (Luton) development squad but it wasn’t the same.”

When asked how it was giving up a good job relatively late in his football career to go full time with Luton, Lafayette said “It was something I’ve always wanted to do. It was not a difficult decision.”

He gave some examples of how tough it was coming in one day before the match with Grimsby. “I played with Tash (strike partner Tashan Adeyinka) yesterday for the first time. I didn’t know whether Reece (left back Reece Harris) would clip it over.”

With Welling’s next game being at Woking, Lafayette was looking forward to the three training sessions to get a better understanding with each other. He still felt Welling could get out of trouble. “We need to get a win and kick on from there.” Although he wants to score goals he admitted “If I don’t score and we stay up, I’ll be happy.”

Doubtless, his stock with the Welling supporters will increase even further if Welling can avoid relegation.

Picture supplied by Dave Budden.