Dulwich boss hopes Welling win makes up for two heavy defeats on the bounce

Paul Barnes said Dulwich Hamlet’s 4-2 win over National League South rivals Welling United was the “exact reaction” he was looking for from his side.

Dulwich had suffered two heavy defeats back-to-back, losing 4-1 to Farnborough in the league and then losing 5-1 to Wingate & Finchley in the London Senior Cup.

Welling opened the scoring through Aaron Barnes in the 26th minute. But Barnes’ side scored two through William Nicholas Wood and Johl Powell to take the lead.

Warren Feeney’s side drew level after Ade Azeez scored in the 79th minute. However, two goals late on – Jack Holland in the 89th minute and Dan Smith in second-half added time – secured all three points for Dulwich.

“It was the exact reaction we were looking for,” Barnes told Dulwich’s YouTube channel.

“People saying about the results on Saturday and Tuesday, but we have remained confident and positive in what we’re doing.

“I said to the boys in there, if you look at the training session on Thursday, you wouldn’t think that we have come off the back of those last two performances and results.

“I thought we deserved the win. That’s not me being biased, the boys were good and dug in at times.

“They showed what they’re all. I keep saying that there will be times where I make mistakes – and I will hold my hands up. 

“There will be times when players pull out performances, and what they have done today is all credit to them.

“The mental toughness they have shown after coming back from under-par performances in the last two games.

“Everybody deserved that after the last two performances we have put in. Hopefully, that’s a little bit of a payback for the last two.”

PICTURES: ROB AVIS