Injury has denied player-manager Loui Fazakerley a chance to line up for Welling United this weekend – but he believes his spell on the sidelines has proved a stroke of luck.
Fazakerley was appointed Welling’s permanent manager at the relatively tender of age of 30 in April, working alongside head coach Matthew McEntegart and first-team coach Paul Barnes.
Welling United v Carlisle United
Emirates FA Cup
Second round
Park View Road, Welling
2pm Sunday 6 December 2015
Winning sides receive £27,000 from The FA prize fund
A dramatic relegation escape in the National League – they survived on goal difference – followed but, on the first day of this season, they received an immediate blow after Fazakerley was struck down by an achilles injury.
The right-back has manned the touchline ever since but he insists his team are all the stronger for it, as they prepare to defy their underdogs tag at home to Carlisle United this weekend.
“The injury has been a blessing in disguise, it’s one less thing for me to think about,” he said. “It happened on the first day of the season, but it’s allowed me to fully focus on my preparations for the team. It really would be difficult if I was playing and looking after things at the same time.
“The third round is going to be our motivation – we are one game away from that magical third round and potentially that big tie against a Premier League team.
“Being drawn at home is obviously a big factor as well, we have a very humble ground and I’m sure Carlisle will turn up not too impressed with the facilities! Hopefully that’s going to play in our favour.”
The Emirates FA Cup third round draw takes place on Monday
Whatever the result on Sunday, Carlisle are likely to find the back of the net – they seem to be scoring goals for fun this season.
In League Two alone the Cumbrians have scored 38 goals in 20 games, though that total is just two more than they have conceded.
Former Middlesbrough striker Charlie Wyke has joined in the goal glut of late, scoring three goals in two games after an early-season setback through injury, and he is eager to kick on.
“You can see by looking at the stats that we are in the top four highest goalscorers in the Football League, and we’re up there in the promotion spots at the moment,” said the 22-year-old.
“When I talk to Jabo [Ibehre] and Derek [Asamoah], they say that whenever they go out onto the pitch they know they are going to score goals.
“With the formation we play, along with Alex Gilliead, the top four all have that goal threat and it gives you a lot of confidence when you’re not the only one who is expected to get the goals.”
