Welling v Lewes

WELLING manager Adrian Pennock has issued a rallying cry to the club's supporters.

Only 192 fans turned out at Gravesend's Stonebridge Road on Thursday night for the defeat to Thurrock in Conference South.

It compounded the club's financial problems as they have to play all their remaining midweek games away from Park View Road.

The Wings are enjoying their best period since relegation from the Nationwide Conference and Pennock has called on the club's fans to support them in numbers.

"I was really disappointed with the attendance on Thursday and I'm sure the directors were as well," said Pennock.

"We could have gone joint third had we won but maybe our fans were more interested in watching Eastenders.

"I'm asking the fans to really get behind us now. We need them to be our 12th man in every game we play.

"They've been fantastic all season up to now but we need them more than ever for the run-in.

"There are tired legs in our squad, they need a lift and that means vocal encouragement from first minute to last.

"We need every Welling fan to come on Saturday, bring a mate, their kids or their gran and make some noise."

The Wings face a daunting task against big-spending Lewes, who have hit form in the latter part of the season.

Pennock looks set to hand a debut to new signing Joe Bruce, who arrived from Basingstoke just 30 seconds before the 5pm transfer deadline on Thursday.

Hector Mackie may also be involved but a deal for Crystal Palace's Matt Fish fell through at the 11th hour due to financial reasons.

The Wings have also signed Dartford pair Eddie McClements and Steve Norman on dual registrations with Andrew Sam and Keith Rowland signing Ryman League forms for the Darts.

The players are expected to remain with their respective clubs this weekend but there is scope in the deal for movement between now and the end of the season.