Welling United manager Ryan Maxwell calls for a reaction at league leaders Folkestone after ‘below-par’ 2-0 defeat against relegation rivals Hashtag

Welling United manager Ryan Maxwell is looking for a reaction at Isthmian Premier leaders Folkestone this weekend.

The Wings lost 2-0 at home to relegation rivals Hashtag on Saturday, missing the chance to move within three points of safety.

They face a big challenge at Cheriton Road against an Invicta side who are 14 points clear at the top, although Aveley could cut the gap tonight at Cheshunt.

Jay Saunders’ side ended a four-match winless run by thrashing Wingate & Finchley 4-0 and are the team to beat.

“It’s a game no one would give us much of a chance for,” said Welling boss Maxwell.

“We’re away from home against a team who are top and off the back of a 4-0 win.

“If you were a betting man, you’d certainly back Folkestone, so we go there with zero pressure, but regardless if they’re top or they’re bottom, this performance on Saturday needs to be a reaction.

“I’m hoping we don’t have to do too much in terms of getting the boys mentally prepared for this one.

“This one should take care of itself. They should all be where they need to be and it’s important they are because Folkestone are a very good side.

“They had a little bit of a stutter before Saturday but they’ve got their players back and we all know they’re well backed and well managed, and we’re in for a tough game.

“We’ll need to put one heck of a performance together as a unit to get a positive result.”

Welling had won back-to-back games before pushing second-placed Aveley all the way in a 2-1 midweek defeat.

But Maxwell suspects complacency crept in against Hashtag and they were duly punished.

The visitors scored twice in a matter of minutes after half-time and there was no way back.

“It was a disappointing performance,” said Maxwell.

“We’ve been so good of