Following a disappointing midweek performance at Aldershot, Welling are again on their travels this weekend.

Although they may not relish setting off early for the trek to Gateshead in the North East, their visits there for the last two seasons have been harder, both being midweek evening matches.

So far this season, attending away matches has not been easy for Welling supporters. In five outings, their team has not picked up a single point and they have scored just one goal, a late consolation strike at Macclesfield.

Ten games have now passed for the Wings this season, with just one victory gained on the opening day of the season.  As a result the Welling management team will be working hard to keep the team’s confidence from dipping.

Gateshead, on the other hand, have made a strong start and sit in second place having recorded seven wins and a draw. They are not infallible at home however, having been beaten 4-1 by Tranmere Rovers, and held 1-1 by Kidderminster Harriers.

Football can be unpredictable and there are short priced favourites beaten, and football accumulators ruined by unexpected results, every week. If Welling find their shooting boots, they are more than capable of upsetting the odds.

Sahr Kabba will be an absentee, finishing his three game suspension, and Barney Williams will also be unavailable serving a one match ban following his dismissal at Aldershot.

Long term ailments preclude Loui Fazakerley and Kieron St. Aimie from playing. Hamstring strains kept out both Zac Fagan and Harry Osborne at Aldershot. Should neither recover in time for the game at Gateshead, Fazakerley and his management team may choose to play either Nortei Nortey or Joey Taylor at full back. Alternatively, they may consider a change to the formation.

Good news for Welling supporters came with the announcement that Harry Lee’s loan from Leyton Orient has been extended until 9^th January.

Gateshead have bolstered their squad this week by signing free agent Gus Mafuta on a short term contract, finishing on 2^nd January. He was released by Bristol City in the summer having played six games on loan for Nuneaton Town last season.

The Welling visits to Gateshead in the last two seasons both ended in 1-1 draws. In January 2014, Joe Healy gave the Wings a 10^th minute lead from Ross Lafayette’s cross but Welling had to withstand an onslaught for the rest of the half. Five minutes after the break, Marcus Maddison levelled with a highly controversial penalty. Both sides had chances after that but neither were able to grab a winner.

Last season, Welling went behind in just the second minute through Alex Rodman however he was dismissed just after the break. The visitors grabbed a hard earned, and ultimately vital point, when Dominic Vose equalised with nine minutes remaining.

Picture supplied by Dave Budden.