After a week off, Welling United are back in Vanarama National League South Division action on Saturday with a visit to Chelmsford City.
An early F.A. Trophy exit meant that the Wings were without a game last weekend and although Jamie Coyle wanted a run in that tournament, not playing did give him the opportunity to rest some of his injured and ill players.
He probably won’t mind playing a game away from Park View Road either as their recent home form has not been good whilst on their travels they are unbeaten since the opening game of the season. It will be interesting to see what formation he chooses having changed it for their last home game.
Since their last game, a 2-2 draw with Truro City, Welling have made one change to their squad. Eli Phipps’ loan from Colchester United ended after the Truro game and he chose to return to his parent club to play for the Under 23s. However, he has been replaced by Elliott Romain who has joined for a month on loan from Dagenham and Redbridge. He knows where the net is at South Division level having scored over twenty times for Eastbourne Borough last season before being transferred to the Daggers for an undisclosed fee.
Goalkeeper Ryan Sandford has had his loan spell from Millwall extended for another month which will cover the busy festive season and beyond. Connor Dymond also comes back into contention having missed the Truro game through suspension.
On Tuesday evening, Welling had a training friendly at Phoenix Sports. Coyle likes to play friendlies to work on shape and look at trialists in a match situation having already done so previously at Holmesdale and Welling Town this season. For the record, the Wings ran out 6-1 victors with Bradley Goldberg claiming a hat-trick, Callum Driver scoring two, including one from 45 yards, and Joe Healy netting the other.
F.A. Trophy disappointment was also suffered by Chelmsford and as an attempt to play a rearranged game at Hemel Hempstead was dashed by the weather, they also played a midweek friendly, winning 3-0 at Aveley.
There are four points between fifth placed Chelmsford and ninth placed Welling, although the Wings have played one more game. Coyle will not be daunted in visiting the Essex club as they have also had more success away from home comforts than on their own turf.
One of their away wins was at Welling on the second game of this season when they claimed a late winner with a controversial penalty in the closing minutes. There can be no doubt that there was a foul in the penalty area for the actual spot kick award but there was a question mark on whether there was an offside in the build-up. That did not concern Lee Barnwell who converted with ease.
In the corresponding fixture last April, Chelmsford’s 3-1 victory ensured them a place in the end of season play-offs against a Welling team who had already guaranteed safety from the drop. Ricky Hayles gave Welling the lead and a surprise result looked on the cards when they went in at half time 1-0 up.
Shocking defending presented Chris Dickson with a leveller one minute after the break and the Clarets never looked back after going ahead through Michael Spillane three minutes later although they did not make the game safe until the 88th minute when Shaun Jeffers added a third.
Picture supplied by Dave Budden.