Welling boss Mark Goldberg has admitted he didn’t even congratulate son Bradley on his two goals this week.

Striker Goldberg scored twice to help the Wings beat Tonbridge in National League South.

But father Mark revealed that he doesn’t praise him too often – because of the potential reaction among the squad.

“I’m also harsh on him,” said the Wings boss. “I didn’t even say well done in the dressing room whereas if anybody else in there had taken those goals then I would have done.

“I didn’t because it’s hard on me to be seen to be praising him. It is difficult but he is actually a good lad so we manage it quite well together.”

Goldberg clearly knows how to get the best out of his son. Mark believes it is an advantage to manage him – but only after Bradley proved himself worthy of a place in the team to the Wings fans last season under ex-manager Steve King.

“If they don’t earn the right themselves then it’s often a disadvantage,” explained Mark. “I think Bradley has earned the right without me being manager.

“Finally last season the fans started to realise that he earnt his right and that’s a good starting point for me to come in.

“He has often scored goals the most when I have been managing him but I know how to get the best out of him, and players who have played with him (previously) know how to get the best out of him.

“It’s confidence as well, it was important that he got that goal at Chelmsford because that got him off the mark.”

Mark is refusing to set any targets for Bradley in front of goal but knows what he is capable of.

The striker claimed three goals over the weekend to get his tally up and running this campaign, but Mark felt he has been contributing in other areas already.

“He has been playing well, just not getting the opportunities,” said the Wings boss. “But he has been creative for other players and making some good runs so he deserves (it).

“I don’t think anyone would say I’m saying it because I’m his dad but I think he deserved the accolades for his performance (against Tonbridge).

“He is capable of scoring 15-20 plus goals. It all depends on the team and him, and the runs that he makes.

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• Report: Welling 4-2 Tonbridge

“It is in his locker, he hasn’t done it yet for Welling but it’s about time that he did.

“He did okay last season but there is more in him. It’s better for him to perform on the pitch than for me to make any predictions.”

Mark is understandably excited by the partnership between Bradley and strike partner Adam Coombes.

“It’s starting to show, I always hoped it would and believed it could,” said the Welling manager. “It’s got potential.

“With players of that experience you have to put them in there, the runs they make are intelligent runs anyway.

“They’ve just got to learn to play together, the more they play together I believe it will get better and better.”

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