WELLING assistant manager Barry Ashby is backing new keeper Mitchell Walker to be a hit at Park View Road.

The Brighton stopper arrived on loan from the Seagulls late last week following the departure of Gareth Stewart to Yeovil and made his debut in Saturday’s 2-1 defeat at Thurrock.

But despite the disappointing result, Ashby is convinced Walker’s addition will prove to be a major asset in the Wings’ push for promotion.

He said: “I thought Mitchell did really well to be honest considering the move came about so quickly.

“It is worth pointing out he only met the rest of the players on the day of the game, so he is going to know even more about the side by the time we play Dover on Saturday.

“Mitchell made a very good save to push the initial shot for their first goal onto the post.

“We were aware of Gareth’s situation with Yeovil and wish him all the best because it is a big opportunity for him.

“But that gave us a bit of time to have two or three options on a new keeper and I’m pleased we made the choice we did by going for Mitchell.”

The defeat at Thurrock saw Welling slip out of the play-off zone but Ashby is adamant his side can genuinely consider themselves unlucky to have come away with nothing to show.

He said: “The conditions weren’t the best but that isn’t an issue because that applied to both sides.

“We still tried to play our football and managed to create seven or eight opportunuities.

“Normally we would expect to take at least two or three of those and obviously there was the missed penalty by Lee Clarke when it was still 0-0, which Clarkey was absolutely gutted about.

“I think the penalty miss gave Thurrock a big lift.”

Welling entertain play-off rivals Dover in a Kent derby this Saturday (3pm), with only two points separating the sides ahead of the game.

Ashby’s outfit have the advantage, sitting sixth in the table, and they will be looking to put even more daylight between themselves and this year’s FA Cup giant killing heroes.

He added: “I’m expecting it to be a cracking game and hopefully there will be a big crowd there to watch it.

“Dover have had a few poor results lately after their FA Cup exploits but don’t be fooled by that.

“We both try and play our football the right way and I’m really looking forward to it.”

Welling have no fresh injury or suspension problems for the Dover clash.

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