Hectic March is providing new challenges to Welling United Jamie Day as illness and injuries have stretched his squad to the limit.

If the Wings squad had been extended last Saturday, it was nothing like as tough as it was on Tuesday evening at Cambridge United. The absence of Harry Beautyman, Tom Bender (currently hospitalised), Jake Gallagher, Kurtis Guthrie, Blaine Hudson, Connor McLaren and Jack Obersteller left Day having to bring in reinforcements. Ross Lafayette lasted just 25 minutes, and Toby Ajala less than an hour.

Day recruited Quade Taylor on loan from Crystal Palace and brought back dual registration Malik Ouani and Barney Williams from VCD Athletic and Waltham Forest respectively.

Second placed Cambridge United might have expected an easy ride but they were pushed by a hard working Wings team who also played some good football. Joe Healy’s nutmeg of former Manchester United midfielder Luke Chadwick was an example of how well Welling performed in shading the first half.

Cambridge made changes at the break and came out more purposeful. When Adam Cunnington put the hosts ahead from the spot, Welling might have folded but they equalised through Tobi Sho-Silva who headed home Josh Wakefield’s corner for the Wings’ 50^th league goal of the season. Cambridge regained their lead when ex-Wing Andy Pugh sent Delano Sam-Yorke away and the former Basingstoke Town winger made no mistake.

On Saturday, Welling visit Forest Green Rovers, now managed by one time Welling boss Adrian Pennock. After leaving the Wings, the former Gillingham centre half spent six years at Stoke City. He returned to first team management in November filling the vacancy at the Greens and they are now in sixth place, one point off the play-offs.

When Forest Green visited Welling back in September, the Wings enjoyed a great night. Doug Bergqvist and Loick Pires helped Welling to a two goal lead within twenty minutes. Anthony Barry pulled one back in first half injury time, and Yan Klukowski levelled from the spot just after the hour mark.

Four minutes later, a foul that robbed Welling of an open goal saw Dale Bennett sent off before Ross Lafayette converted the penalty. Lee Clarke restored Welling’s two goal lead before Alex Dyer rounded off a fine 5-2 win in the final minute.

Picture supplied by Dave Budden.