Welling United manager Ryan Maxwell looking forward to Dartford clash as Wings put “freakish” half against Leatherhead behind them in Stanway rout

Welling United are looking forward to derby day after putting a “freakish” half of football firmly behind them.

The Wings conceded four times in the opening 45 minutes at newly-promoted Leatherhead last week en route to a 4-1 loss.

They responded by beating Stanway Rovers 4-0 at Park View Road on Saturday, setting them up for a trip to local rivals Dartford this weekend.

The Darts, under new player-manager Ben Greenhalgh, are one of only two sides in the Isthmian Premier to have won their opening three games this season.

Welling needed to get the Leatherhead game out of their system, and they did, as two goals from Demaray Anyadike, another for Nahum Melvin-Lambert and a late fourth from Ade Azeez made it two wins out of two at home.

“The more we analysed Tuesday, the more we realised it was just a very freakish half,” said manager Ryan Maxwell.

“Leatherhead had five attempts and scored four goals, and one was a cross.

“It was a massive shock but we saw it for what it was.

“Yes, there were things we should have done better but there was a lot of fortune also in the scoreline as well.

“It’s happened to managers up and down the country at all levels. It’s the first time it’s happened to me, so it’s something I’ve now experienced.

“It was important we bounced back and we answered that comfortably on Saturday with a very good performance.

“I was confident we would win. I even said we would.

“It was a question of not letting that continue into the next game and I think the performance on Saturday shows it was just a very unique half of football.”

Maxwell praised two-goal Anyadike for his part in Welling’s victory as the Wings maintained their 100 per cent home record.

He said: “He’s got a really good future ahead of him. I