After a comfortable five-nil victory over Welling Town, Welling United manager Brad Quinton spoke of his pleasure about getting back to football.
He was very thankful to Welling Town for arranging the game. “I’m really pleased to get a game with Kev (Welling Town Chairman and Manager Kevin Oakes). I’ve been speaking to him to see what we could do and it was a good run out for the boys.
“They did very well, especially in the first half and I think that overall there was some good fitness and some good minutes under their belt. I think as the game went on some of the boys felt they could do a little more on the ball. All the trialists tonight were very good. “
Although they won comfortably, the Wings had to work as Quinton expected. “They’ve got some good players there and they wanted to play some good football as well. It was competitive and there were some tackles flying around in the second half which is good. Overall I was really impressed with the way we played. It was a good run out for the boys.”
Preparation for the next season hasn’t been easy with no certainty about when it will start. “We’ve been back three weeks.” explained Quinton. “Wednesday, Saturday, Wednesday, Saturday with an odd day here and there. Then we had to ease back a little bit because the season has been put back. We don’t want them to burn out and pick up injuries. We look after them and make sure they’re filling out all the Covid questions before they come to any sessions.
There are positives to the delayed season start though, potentially 3rd October. Quinton said “It gives us time to see what we can do to bring in sponsors and stuff, and to improve the ground. There’s more time to look at players individually, in groups, formations but we’ll try and ease back on the reins a little bit because I’m pleased with them in training. They’ve done really well.
“It’s very very important for us to keep focussed on keeping well and staying safe. The boys are getting used to how I want us to be fit and how I want us to play as well. They are a good bunch of lads.”
Images courtesy of Dave Budden