Defeat at Wealdstone on Monday night meant that Welling United missed out on a chance to move into the play-off zone.

It looked as though they were going to come away with a point until the conceded in the second minute of injury time. Although, they came away from North West London disappointed they are still only two points behind seventh placed Braintree Town having played a game fewer.

On Saturday, Welling are on their travels again with a visit to thirteenth placed East Thurrock United. The Essex team have a record of won ten, drawn ten and lost ten and can be a handful on their day.

One of those days was when they visited Welling at Park View Road. Former Wing Reece Harris put the Rocks ahead in the first half and veteran striker Sam Higgins scored a second half brace as East Thurrock made the most of Welling’s December dip in form.

Wings’ boss Jamie Coyle will have to shuffle his pack again. Captain Connor Dymond will again miss out as he serves the second game of his two match suspension and Anthony Acheampong’s loan spell has ended and he has returned to Dulwich Hamlet. He will be replaced by Magnus Okuonghae who has come in on loan from Maidstone United for the rest of the season.

Ben Jefford remains doubtful following the injuries sustained at Concord Rangers so Coyle will hope to have signed reinforcements by the time the teams meet.

Not only do East Thurrock have an overall symetric record, they also have identical home and away records of won five, drawn five and lost five. However, their recent form hasn’t been great.having gone seven games without a victory.

Since their last victory, a 4-1 win against Oxford City, they’ve played three times at their Future Fuel Stadium. Their F.A. Trophy run ended with a 5-2 drubbing by Spennymoor Town before they drew 0-0 with Eastbourne Borough and 1-1 with Bath City.

In last season’s corresponding game the spoils were shared. Pierre Joseph-Dubois scored in the opening minutes but despite dominating Welling were unable to score the all important second goal. As the game wore on, the hosts came more into the game but did not look like scoring until they were gifted a highly contentious penalty with nine minutes remaining. Ben Marlow took full advantage by converting from the spot.

Another former Wing has been in the East Thurrock squad recently. Harry Phipps has been at the club on loan from Maidstone United having had a couple of spells at Welling earlier in the season.

Picture supplied by Dave Budden.