It's been awhile, but last night I got over the hill to see the Wings once more. Truth is I have been as disillusioned as most Wings fans in the last year or so. Not sure why, exactly, but owner Mark Goldberg seemed to have lost interest in the development or the club or perhaps he was experimenting but whatever it was, the side lost it's identity and managers seemed to come and go nearly as regularly as the players. Results have suffered as you would expect.
The rumour-mill suggests that Goldberg has been obsessed with getting permission to redevelop the site but frustrated by co-users Erith & Belvedere's refusal to entertain him. Whatever the truth of it, there is certainly bad blood, typified by Goldberg's recent refusal to let the Dere's open their bar during Wings' matches.
Anyhow, after the latest three month flirtation with Steve Lovell ("I played for Millwall in the top flight") and a disastrous start to the National League South season, Mark Goldberg appears to have once again made a bit of a commitment to the supporters by appointing highly experienced and one-time England manager, Peter Taylor, as Wings supremo. I was very surprised by the appointment but Wings' Tone told me last night they have remained "pals since their Palace days." That might explain it but I am pretty sure Peter Taylor (only 68) wouldn't have accepted the job if there was any chance he would be sacked before Christmas. Similarly, I suspect Peter Taylor wants an end to the merry-go-round of players which means the side has literally changed every two months for the past however long. Taylor was a great player in his day and has huge managerial experience - still only 68. I remember seeing him at the Den in the late 70's when he tore the Millwall left flank to pieces and supplied a stream of pull-backs that deserved five or six goals on their own.
Whatever, Taylor has had a mini-bounce with two wins and a draw, although Tone assured me that the football isn't quite yet of the champagne variety. To be fair though, they started brightly last night after a panicky opening couple of minutes when the impressive Jack Sims made a couple of smart stops to prevent an early goal. After that the Wings settled and began to find a counter-attacking groove that warned Hampton not to get too cocky.
They were rewarded after fifteen minutes when Akinyemi got up well at a near post corner and facing the incoming ball he managed to get a lovely glance on the ball to send it flashing past Alan Julian. Fifteen minutes later it got better for Welling when Akinyemi turned provider after peeling off to the left wing in support of another rapid counter. This time he picked up the lay off and drove in to the box before whipping in a low cross which (I think) the admirable Charlie Wassmer could only get a leg to and take some pace off the ball. It fell to the on-rushing Shokunbi who looked like he couldn't believe he was in a scoring position but he was and he did.
Two-nil at half-time and it looked like a third would wrap things up. However, the visitors came out in a determined mood and they put Welling on the backfoot from the whistle. They forced a string of corners and the ball was bobbing around the Wings' six yard box for at least ten minutes before the pressure eventually told and Gray forced it in. With the visitors tails up, Welling needed a response but there wasn't one. They seemed content to defend and their running seemed to stop which meant they couldn't get out when they did have possession. The second goal was inevitable and the lively Gondoh rifled it home three minutes later.
Welling were on ropes and desperate for someone to step up but no-one did. Several minutes later after a defensive mix-up where Sims appeared to be watching the man rather than the dropping ball, Hampton were handed a winner. there was still 25 minutes to go but we didn't see a concerted Welling response until it was too late. They did manage to get the ball in the net before the 90th minute but it was ruled offside.
It looked like Welling ran out of steam and if I am being hyper-critical, several of their more attacking players looked frightened of the tackle and more content to anticipate free-kicks rather than believe in themselves to do more when in possession - certainly something Peter Taylor never lacked as a player. They also appeared to lack any leadership when it was needed. Issues I am sure Taylor can sort out quickly, especially if backed by Goldberg. I certainly hope so because it would be great to watch a more settled side once more and see Welling competing strongly again.
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