Maidstone United manager George Elokobi says one goal never enough after conceding second-half equaliser against Welling United
Published: 06:17, 02 April 2024
Updated: 06:17, 02 April 2024
George Elokobi rued Maidstone’s failure to kill off their Easter Monday game against Welling.
The Stones bossed the first half at the Gallagher Stadium but had only one goal to show for their efforts.
That was scored by George Fowler in the fourth minute, while Wings keeper Reice Charles-Cook made a series of saves to keep the visitors in the game.
Maidstone’s levels dropped in the second half and Welling equalised courtesy of debutant Jack Munns.
“The first half was very good,” said Stones manager Elokobi, following the 1-1 draw.
“It was about starting right, starting on the front foot.
“The last two games we’ve done that really well in terms of being positive and taking the game to the opposition and, rightly so, we got the goal.
“But it was about getting that second goal because the longer you leave it, then the opposition has something to hold on to and, like we saw, they came out in the second half and grew in confidence.
“It looked like it was only going to take one moment, one lapse in concentration in terms of the small details that we prepare on restarts, where players need to be.
“One of our players has switched off and it’s led to a goal.”
Maidstone were looking good for a fifth successive National League South victory as they got after Welling, with Matt Bentley particularly influential.
They’ve dropped a place to fifth in the table after being pegged back but have a handy five-point cushion over sides outside the play-offs and play their game in hand at Taunton tomorrow.
Welling, meanwhile, are eight points clear of the bottom four following their fine form under Rod Stringer.
“One goal is never enough in this division,” said Elokobi.
“We’ve drummed that into our players.
“It was a very commanding first half by us but in the second half they shaded it and put us on the back foot.
“I was really disappointed with our second half.
“We said towards the end of the first half keep our intensity up.
“But we slowly went into their intensity and when you do that in football that’s a capital crime because you can’t just flick the switch on for your intensity, you have to maintain it all the way through.
“But it’s not a loss, we’re just disappointed we’ve dropped these two points, but credit to Welling.”
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Craig Tucker