On Tuesday evening, Welling United visit Braintree Town in a Vanarama National League South fixture that both teams will be desperate to win.

Peter Taylor’s Wings were defeated at home to Oxford City on Saturday, dropping them to nineteenth in the table, six points clear of the Iron who have played three games fewer, and Billericay who are on equal games.

Although Oxford are enjoying life at the other end of the table, for the first half of the game on Saturday, and the first ten minutes of the second period, there was little to choose between them and Welling. However, once Joe Iaciofano had put the visitors ahead Welling’s game fell apart and although they improved slightly in the latter stages, it was too little too late. 

They played well at times at home to St Albans City, away to Chelmsford City, and at home to Oxford, but the cold truth is that they only claimed one point out of nine. The other clubs around them have all been picking up points meaning that Welling have been dragged into the relegation battle. 

Braintree did not play on Saturday but they won their last game four-two at Hampton and Richmond Borough. Hampton went ahead against the run of play but Braintree were three-one up by half time. Hampton pulled one back nine minutes before full time however, Braintree scored again with two minutes remaining. 

Ryan Maxwell, Braintree’s manager, is a former Wing and in their line-up they have Stefan Ilic who left Welling earlier this season having failed to claim a place in their first team.

When the two teams met at Park View Road in October the Wings claimed all three points in a one-nil win. Ade Shokunbi scored the only goal in a game of very few chances. 

The Iron have only won one of their eight home matches so far this season so the match on Tuesday could be another tight one. 

Picture supplied by Dave Budden.