We deserve to play in front of a big crowd, says Welling assistant Barry Ashby

WELLING UNITED assistant manager Barry Ashby says his side deserve to play in front of a four-figure crowd when they lock horns with Woking in a top-of-the-table clash at Park View Road tomorrow, writes Stephen McCartney.


The Wings sit proudly at the top of the Blue Square Bet South table with 16 points from their opening six games, and welcome Woking who lie in second place, following their 6-3 win at Tonbridge Angels on Bank Holiday Monday.

Welling United have averaged gates of 529 at Park View Road this season, but Ashby, 40, hopes the International Break and their opponents being the best supported club in the division, will bolster the attendance to over 1,000.

“I think both teams have had good start to the season and I think Woking will be the same as us – we’re not going to get carried away with anything as it’s very early and we’ve got a long, old season ahead of us,” said Ashby on the eve of the crunch game.

“It’s nice to be where we are but we know we’ve still got a lot of hard work to do and we know we’ve got to play a lot of good teams in our league.”

This is a watchable game, as both sides like playing attacking football.

“From the way we’ve both been scoring goals, you would think (it will be) a really open game, but I think the coaches won’t want it to happen,” said Ashby.

“I think, I know it’s an old cliché, we have to take every game as it comes.  It’s very early in the season, the league will not be won or lost with the result tomorrow.

“I think both teams like to play the right way.   We both like to get the ball down and we both like to create chances.

“We’ve watched a bit of Woking this week and seen their results – they’ve had a decent start as well.

“I expect it to be an open game, but not too open.  As a coach you don’t want it too open, end-to-end because the game can swing either way very quickly.

“Both teams like to play attacking football so we’re expecting a fairly open game – but not too open!”

And neighbouring, Npower League One side, Charlton Athletic, are enticing their fans to Park View Road tomorrow.

“With Charlton not in action until next Monday evening, Addicks fans who find themselves with a football-fee Saturday this weekend can support the latest Non-League Day by watching neighbours Welling United in action,” said a statement on their official club website www.cafc.co.uk.

“Welling’s stadium is currently used by the Addicks for under 18 FA Youth Cup matches, and Charlton play the wings in a friendly every summer.”

“Having been successful last season, the Non-League Day campaign is a celebration of the semi-professional and amateur game.

“With no Premier League or Championship games being played this weekend, and the Addicks not in action until Monday night, fans have a fantastic opportunity to support their local non-league side.”

Charlton Athletic – along with Gillingham – have returned to the Kent Senior Cup this season after a lengthy absence, and travel to Bromley and Welling United respectively.

Charlton Athletic director, Peter Varney, said today, “With Charlton Athletic not in action this Saturday we are urging their fans to go and watch Kent neighbours Welling United.

“I’m sure you will agree it’s great to see us Kent clubs sticking together.”

Ashby, meanwhile, welcomes Addicks fans to watch his free-flowing team in action.

He said: “I think the international break and league sides not playing, it will be good for us to get a decent crowd in and the players’ deserve a decent crowd to be fair.

“The way we’re playing at the minute, the type of football we’re playing, I think people may be pleasantly surprised.  It may be an opportunity for people to come down to Welling that are normally at Charlton or some other local team to come down and take a look at us.

“I’d be quite disappointed myself if we don’t get a fairly decent crowd in.  I know Woking will bring a decent support as well – it should be a good game, a good crowd and hopefully we can come out on top.”

Meanwhile, Wing’s player-manager, Jamie Day and striker Andy Pugh, were rewarded for their great start to the season.

To cap an amazing start to the season, Welling have won both the Blue Square South manager and player of the month awards.

Day, who is in Canada until next Wednesday, told the club’s website: “All credit to the boys and staff, they deserve the award this month.  They have performed to a very high standard, which hopefully we can take into Saturday’s very tough game against a side who will be challenging for the title.”

Pugh is the league’s joint top scorer with seven goals in six games – all from open play.

Ashby added: “All the forward boys’ have done really well.  Loick Pires, Luis Cumbers and Andy have all done really well.  Pughy is just in a rich vein of form at the minute.  We knew how good he was – he’s a very good striker and we knew Loick and Luis were when we brought them to the club.

“It’s no surprise to any of us really that he’s (Pugh) scored as many goals at the start of the season as he has.

“Last year was his first season when he’s had to play 30 plus games and he had a good return last season and I think he’s taken that form into this season as well.”

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

Welling United  v  Woking
Blue Square Bet South
Saturday 3^rd September 2011
Kick Off 3:00pm
at Park View Road, Welling, Kent DA16 1SY