FA CUP SPECIAL: Pennock: We need your support to send us through

Thursday 26th October 2006

Manager Adrian Pennock has issued a rallying cry to the Welling United faithful to help get his team into the first round proper of the FA Cup on Saturday, writes Stephen McCartney.

Southern Premier League side Clevedon Town stand in their way as the Park View Road outfit aim to make their 12^th appearance in the first round proper.

The FA Cup has been kind to the club in recent years. Last November Pennock lead the club into the first round proper when they lost 4-1 at Huddersfield Town.

But the furthest that the club have progressed was in season 1988-89 when Blackburn Rovers scored the only goal in a third round clash at a packed Park View Road.

The club have also reached the second round proper on two occasions, losing at home to Bath City (1987) and two years later they took Reading to four games before bowing out 2-1 at home.

But Pennock wants Park View Road to be packed to the rafters with passionate supporters to see them through at the weekend.

“We are really looking forward to it but I want every single Welling supporter here,” he told www.wellingunited.com

“It’s going to be a very difficult game but I’ve watched Clevedon last week and have had other reports on them.”

Pennock has highlighted the importance of the game, not only for the Nationwide Conference South club but also for the supporters.

“It will be massive for the club; it’s like our semi-final,” he said. “If we win that game we will be in the first round proper, which would be a great achievement for everybody involved.

“Again I want all Welling supporters to come in numbers and really get behind the team.

“We want to get to the first round proper as we had a great experience last year and want to carry it on for the supporters as well as everybody else.”

The Wings have a fully fit squad to choose from, but the only slight doubt is Keith Rowland (calf).

Pennock’s men have taken maximum league points from their last four games, and are now unbeaten in eleven games in all competitions, but the manager stressed that Clevedon will be no push over.

“They went down to nine men against Hitchin with just 15 minutes of normal time left to go,” Pennock revealed.

“They rallied together, showed a lot of spirit and obviously went on to win the game.

“It’s the FA Cup and anything can happen but this is the love of the competition.”

Welling United have been drawn at home to Tooting & Mitcham in the second round of the London Senior Cup following their 2-1 win at Cray Wanderers last night.

An equaliser through under 18’s player Gabriel Odunaike and an own-goal sent Pennock’s side though.

The Welling line-up featured a number of the under 18’s side as well as some of the first team squad.

Paul Hyde, Des Boateng, Mark Goodfellow, Leon Solomon, Akwasi Edusei and Andrew Sam all made appearances at Hayes Lane.

Substitutes Gabriel Odunaike, James Cummings, Matt Vitty and Jack Badu also made the squad from their under 18’s squad.

Meanwhile, Welling United’s game against Bognor Regis Town at Park View Road has been rescheduled for Tuesday 28^th November (7:45pm).

Welling United v Clevedon Town
FA Cup (Sponsored by E.ON) Fourth Qualifying Round
Saturday 28th October 2006
Kick Off 3:00pm
at Park View Road, Welling

Visit Welling United’s website: www.wellingunited.com