On Saturday Welling United are on the road for the last time this season when they travel to Havant and Waterlooville in a Vanarama National League South fixture.

It has been an inconsistent season for Warren Feeney’s team. They started the season well but had a difficult time after the turn of the year, especially, when playing at home.

As a result the Wings drifted towards the bottom four. However, a return to form in Spring, including four straight home wins, moved them clear of the drop zone.

On Tuesday evening, a team made up predominantly of fringe players and under 23s took on a similar strength team from Hampton and Richmond Borough. The Wings were the better team in the first half but went in at the break still on level terms.

After the interval, they dominated proceedings and the only surprise about Kyrell Lisbie putting them ahead was that he did so with a header. Welling doubled their lead with just under fifteen minutes remaining when Dan Nkrumah scored from the spot after Lisbie had been brought down.

Hampton had a chance to pull one back with a highly contentious penalty by Kai McKenzie-Lyle ensured that justice was served by saving it and Lisbie added a third with five minutes remaining.

Havant’s very slight play-off hopes were kept alive with a four-three victory on Thursday night which confirmed relegation for hosts Concord Rangers.

St. Albans City are three points ahead so the Hawks will need them to lose at home to Farnborough and also negate the Saints’s six goal advantage.

This will be the third meeting between the two clubs this season. In the league meeting back in September, the two sides shared the points in a two-all draw. Ade Azeez put the Wings ahead in the first half but the Hawks levelled soon after.

Taylor Maloney restored Welling’s lead six minutes before half time and they held it until four minutes from time when Jason Prior netted.

When Welling hosted an F.A. Trophy game in November against the Hawks they went one better and ran out three-two winners. Azeez notched a brace to put the Wings two up in twenty-five minutes.

Danny Wright pulled one back in first half injury time and a second half own goal brought the Hawks level. Welling didn’t drop their heads and Stefan Payne scored the winner with thirteen minutes remaining.

Feeney’s team selection will be interesting. He left out a lot of his established players on Tuesday night and the replacements did well, but it is likely that the majority of the team who played so well when beating league champions Ebbsfleet United last Saturday will be restored. It’s a selection headache for Feeney, but in a good way.

Picture supplied by Michael Brown.