On Thursday, Welling United manager Loui Fazakerley confirmed the first three players to have been re-signed for the 2015-16.

Unanimous player of the year Barney Williams and supporters runner up Sam Corne both agreed to two year contracts. The third player to agree a deal was another teenager, Joey Taylor, the first graduate of the Welling United Development Squad.

After a 2013-14 trophy winning season, the Wings first team manager at that time, Jamie Day, outlined what he would like to see from the squad. The key requirement was to produce players able to progress to the first team.

He suggested that it would be best to only retain players under 19 but manager Matt Horne and assistant Rob Dillon moulded a squad that were mainly 16 and 17 year olds with a view to a player breaking through into the first team squad within two years.

It happened a lot faster than that and Taylor was named on the bench for two games in November before making an impressive full debut in Welling’s 1-0 league win at Braintree Town. Archie Johnson came close to making a cameo appearance at the end of the Wings’ victory over FC Halifax Town. Louis Birch, Marcus Kempton and Steven Plummer also received first team squad experience and shirt numbers,

Taylor’s promotion gives hope for all the players looking to progress. “I’ve been at Welling since I was a kid playing under fifteens.”. Playing against Braintree was “unbelievable”.”I wasn’t expecting to start but there was always the chance that I would.”

There was then a break before he played in the F.A. Trophy game at Ebbsfleet but was sent off controversially. “I felt it was harsh but I haven’t seen the video.”

When Jody Brown took over, he brought a lot of players in so although he was still training with the first team his chances were limited and the development squad management arranged for him to go out on loan to East Grinstead in Rymans Division One. As he is still at college, he only trains Thursday and Friday mornings but once he turns 18 in August, he will be able to leave full time education.

His final appearance for the first team was when he came on as a substitute at Barnet. “That was a baptism of fire. Playing in the big games is great. I learned so much.”

Back in the Development Squad for their final game against Tonbridge Angels Reserves, he took up an attacking midfield role, a position he used to play before converting to left back..

Having lost 6-1 when the teams met in midweek at Longmead, both sides made changes and it was the young Wings who took the honours in an open game.

They went ahead just one minute into the game when Jack Mallon crossed, big Dave Olayokan laid it back and Kempton finished crisply.

Sam Coldicott almost equalised immediately but his lob came back off the post and Charlie Cotterell claimed the loose ball before anyone else could follow up.

After 12 minutes, Welling doubled their lead. Mallon had an effort brilliantly saved but he read a defensive header out and was on hand to nod inside the far post.

Neville Rivelino then had an effort tipped over by Cotterell before Taylor twice came close.

Both goalkeepers made further saves before Welling added a third when Billy Armstrong rose to head home a corner.

Olayokan had a headed goal disallowed for offside and both goalkeepers were again busy before the break with Cotterell saving from Jemiele Johnson and Stan Hill from Birch.

Kempton had an early second half effort saved before Olayokan scored a brilliant fourth goal for the Wings with a turn and shot that gave Hill no chance.

Chances continued to come thick and fast at each end with both goalkeepers making good saves, Cotterell’s best coming from Coldicott and Hill’s to foil Welling substitute Josh Jackson.

Fazakerley will meet with Horne and Dillon in the forthcoming weeks to discuss what how the squad can continue to develop players ready to play Vanarama National football.

 

Welling United: Cotterell, Bland, Flynn (Heath 70), Birch, Plummer, Armstrong, Mallon (Green 70), Kempton, Olaykon (Jackson 79), Taylor, Johnson.

Unused substitute: Hannington.

Tonbridge Angels: Hill, Field (From 75), Awoderu, McCarthy, Milham B (Milham C), Rivelino (Osbourne 68), Kwayie, Johnson, Coldicott, Mici, Quintyne.

Unused substitutes: Wingid, Kelly.

Picture supplied by Dave Budden.