Following two consecutive victories Welling United travel to Hungerford Town on Saturday looking to cement their place in the play-off zone.

First they visited Oxford City and came away with a one-nil victory courtesy of Bradley Goldberg’s penalty. Then they entertained the team with the best away league record and beat them two-nil.

Their victory over Oxford could have been a lot heavier as Welling hit the woodwork three times and had another cleared off the line.

Then against full-time title favourites Torquay United manager Steve King got his tactics spot-on to mastermind a memorable afternoon for the Welling supporters. Jack Barham put them ahead with an exquisite lob as the first half entered stoppage time. Six minutes into the second half, David Ijaha let fly from twenty yards and so fierce was his shot that it was only five yards to the right of the Gulls’ keeper, but he didn’t get close to it.

Unfortunately for Welling, Barham’s form has been so good that he has been recalled from his loan spell by Barnet and came off the bench for their game at Sutton United on Tuesday evening.

In recent weeks, Welling only have two full-backs and three centre-halves on their books defensively. Thierry Audel went off injured early on Saturday and Anthony Acheampong was also struggling so Josh Hill has been brought back into the squad.

When Welling entertained Hungerford at Park View Road in December the Wings claimed a three-one win which took them to top of the league. Goldberg opened the scoring just after the half hour mark but Matt Jones levelled on the stroke of half time.

Although Welling controlled the second half, they had to work hard to win the game. Nassim L’Ghoul put Welling ahead with twenty minutes remaining but they didn’t make it safe until the final minute when Danny Mills scored.

L’Ghoul has been absent since pulling up with a hamstring injury at Dartford on New Year’s Day but he is hopeful of returning at Hungerford. However, should fifth placed Welling take the bottom three Crusaders lightly, they may come unstuck. In their last home game, Hungerford thumped St. Albans City five-nil.

After the Torquay game, King said “We can’t go to Hungerford and give a performance below that because it’s going to be tough for different reasons. They’re fighting to stay in the league and we need to come in with that sort of performance and that sort of level and try and get three points.” It could be a very interesting afternoon.

Images courtesy of Dave Budden