Ford challenges his side to get into play-off's

WELLING UNITED boss Andy Ford says tomorrow night’s opponents Hampton & Richmond Borough will be a tough side to break down, writes Stephen McCartney.

The Wings, one place below the Blue Square South play-off zone, travel to Beveree Stadium to lock horns with Alan Devonshire’s side that are in third place in the table.

Although he was a stylish player at West Ham United, Devonshire has turned his sides into a workmanlike outfit, and although their style doesn’t impress, they get results.

The Beavers are unbeaten in their last ten competitive games and have only conceded three goals during that time.

“We had them watched on Saturday and they play five at the back,” Ford told www.kentishfootball.co.uk today.

“Sometimes when teams do that, the full-backs push on a little bit, but apparently their two full-backs don’t, so literally they play with five at the back, which is quite difficult to break down.

“They play three in midfield as well, so they play with numbers behind the ball for sure.”

Ford added, “Alan has done a good job there, I mean their record stands quite well at the moment. They haven’t lost for a few games, so we know it’s a tough call for us tomorrow night.”

With James Baker returning to the club from Chelmsford City, Ford revealed he hopes to have another new faces signed in time.

“Hopefully I’ve got another one lined up,” said Ford. “He was going to sign this morning, but he’s now going to sign tomorrow now so I won’t be announcing that until it actually happens.”

Ford knows his side must go on a run during their last fifteen games to seal a play-off place.

“We’ve got to kick on now, we really can’t afford to drop anymore silly points,” said Ford. “We’ve got to try and get seven or eight wins from the games that we’ve got. That’s what we’re aiming for.

“I think we’ve done the first part (of the season) not too badly, we’ve got into our position where we are, but this is the nitty gritty bit of it now that could make your season or lose your season in the next eight weeks.”

Ford, meanwhile, hopes Jack Parkinson and Ryan Johnson shake of knocks in time.

www.kentishfootball.co.uk  Will be covering this game.

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

Hampton & Richmond Borough v Welling United
Blue Square South
Tuesday 17^th February 2009
Kick Off 7:45pm
At Beveree Stadium, Beaver Close, Hampton, Middlesex TW12 2BT