Second half goals by Adam Coombes and Dan Walker helped Welling United ease their way to victory over mid table East Thurrock United.

After Welling had not done themselves justice in their two cup games since defeating Oxford City co-caretaker manager, Harry Wheeler, stated the need for the team to match East Thurrock’s work rate and then let their quality come through.

Although comfortable in the end against East Thurrock, Wheeler knew that Welling had to keep their concentration throughout. “I think you worry when your much better first half than them and you don’t take your chances.

“It was a slow start and then we took hold of the game. We had a few chances that we should have finished. You can’t play at a high tempo through the whole game. At this level, especially not. As long as you’re not taking risks and you keep doing the right things, once you get the tempo up, your quality will shine through.”

Just before Welling went ahead, the management team swapped Harry Crawford and Dan Walker’s positions. Wheeler explained. “I think it changed it. We just wanted a bit more of a threat in behind, with pace, and for Dan to play on the last man with his running. That’s Dan’s natural position.

“Harry Crawford’s a very bright lad, a very bright player. He can play wide, he can play central. He can play up front. We just felt that with his movement coming inside it would allow Walks to come outside and give us a bit better movement in the final third which created the first goal.

“Patience is everything. I think people panic and rush in all football. You need to stay calm. It takes a second to score a goal. If you keep doing the right things you’re going to win the match.”

Defensively, Welling were pretty solid but Wheeler felt that occasionally, their desire to play football can cost them. “A couple of balls were at risk. I think people have an infatuation with not going long. I think sometimes you play in areas. You don’t earn the right to play, but you earn the right to gain territory.

“They didn’t massively threaten. I didn’t think we allowed them to. Sometimes you’ve got to give credit to us. They’re a good side and they worked hard. We limited them. We didn’t give them any time on the ball and we reaped the rewards. It’s work rate, it’s endeavour, it’s being relentless. Taking it personally, the man your playing against, your going to be better than him and come off with a little bit of pride and knowing that you’ve done your jobs..

“If you ask the question how many saves did Chris (Lewington) make, I think it was one. The back four have done their job if Chris has only had to make one save.”

Their defensive improvement has been key to easing away from immediate danger. Wheeler  confirmed “We’ve just reinforced to the players, all we have to do is take it game by game. That’s two clean sheets at home now (in league games). Try and keep this a hard place to come and then when we go away, we can pick up points, if we pick up wins, great, if we pick up draws it’s not the worst thing in the world.”

Picture supplied by Dave Budden.