Wings boss praises reaction

3:52pm Wednesday 16th April 2008

ANDY Ford says he was pleased by the second half reaction from his players in last weekend's 2-1 win at Sutton.

The Wings went into the game knowing victory at the basement side would go a long way to guaranteeing Blue Square South safety.

However, things were not going to plan after Craig Dundas had given the hosts a 12th minute advantage.

Robbie Ryan restored parity before the break, but the manner of the first half display led Ford and assistant Phil Handford to read the riot act at the break.

The squad clearly heeded the warning and looked a different outfit in the second period, hitting the woodwork several times before Orlando Smith struck a 65th minute winner.

Ford said: "It wasn't a very good first half performance and the players were told as much by myself and Phil.

"The second half was much better and we got the three points which was always the main thing.

"Whether it was because of what we said or the fact we were playing down the slope, I don't know, but we've picked up 19 points from 27 and this was what we had to do.

"Of course it isn't mathematically certain we are safe yet, but if we had not of gone on the run we've had, we would have gone down so I'm pleased with how it has gone."

Welling are now seven points clear of Weston-super-Mare in the final relegation place, but all the sides around the Wings still have games in hand so they are not mathematically assured safety yet.

However, a result in the final home league game of the season against Bishop's Stortford will virtually settle it and enable Ford to start looking ahead to next year.

The Wings enjoyed a 2-1 win at Bishop's Stortford last month and Ford sees no reason why his side cannot get a similar result.

He said: "They are still going for the play-offs, but lost 5-0 at Maidenhead on Saturday.

"We've got to make sure we turn up with the right attitude and don't just assume we will win because we beat them recently.

"Dan Nwanze and Ellis Green are both back after missing two games and this is a massive boost as they are two of our best players.

"The fact we've had two good results in those games without them shows just strong the spirit is here at the moment."

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