On Saturday, Welling United visit Concord Rangers in their final Vanarama National League South fixture of the term.

Having collected six points over the Bank Holiday weekend, the Wings have guaranteed that they will remain in the division next season.

At Hungerford on Saturday, they were one-nil down with fifteen minutes to go but came back to win two-one. Then, two days later, Welling entertained league leaders Maidstone United and won a thrilling match three-two. That, combined with Billericay Town’s defeat at home to Ebbsfleet United, means that they cannot now be caught. 

They will want to finish in style. however, they will probably be without Dipo Akinyemi through injury and Alfie Matthews will definitely miss out due to suspension. Wings manager Warren Feeney is happy that it means that it gives others an opportunity. “That’s why we have a squad” he said.

When Welling entertained Concord earlier in the season, in the August Bank Holiday weekend, the Wings prevailed with a two-one victory. Che Krabbendam opened the scoring in the tenth minute and they looked comfortable until Bradley Pearce could only head an awkward cross into his own net. Although they were tiring, the Wings dug in and Mason Saunders-Henry scored an injury time winner.

What happens after Saturday’s game remains to be seen. Feeney said: “When I came back from Bulgaria I was looking forward to relax, a rest, to walk the dog then I got the phone call. I said I’d do the ten games and see how we go from there. 

“The joys of football are that you don’t know what’s around the corner. I was doing a bit of recruitment for Northern Ireland. After watching games in London, I landed in Belfast and by six o’clock I was back on a plane over to London.”

His immediate thoughts are on the Concord game but that might not be the end of his time with the Wings. “We’ll get this week out of the road and I’ll sit down and have a chat with the club and we’ll see where we want to go.” He said.  “I’m open to everything. I have a good relationship with everyone here. I’m in every day, myself. 

“I’ve left the house over in Belfast to come over here for six weeks, seven weeks and I’ve been in the hotel. There’s definitely conversations to be had. Seeing the smiles on everyone’s face is the most important thing.”

Although, spending the evenings in a hotel, Feeney has had some Friday night company. He joked “I’ve seen all my old managers and team mates because that’s where they all come and stay when they’re playing Charlton so I’ve ended up on some Friday nights having a glass of wine past the hour I should.”  

Pictures supplied by Dave Budden.