Warren Feeney’s Welling United are on the road again on Saturday when they travel to Oxford City in a Vanarama National League South fixture.

On a bitterly cold Tuesday night Welling visited Cheshunt and returned home with a point. Whilst they weren’t at their creative best, they defended well especially as they were without both of their first choice centre backs for the second half.

Manny Parry and Taylor Curran both did well and Feeney will have decisions to make should Kodi Lyons-Foster and Jamie Sendles-White be fit to return at Oxford.

Ade Azeez put Welling ahead at Cheshunt five minutes into the second half when he charged down Preston Edwards’ clearance and it rebounded off him and into the net.

Although Cheshunt had much of the territorial advantage, they rarely looked like troubling Myles Roberts until they were gifted a penalty, which was converted, in stoppage time.

Feeney’s team won’t expect an easier ride at Oxford. They are fourth in the table and have had a full week to prepare following their three-one victory at Hungerford City last Saturday.

At home they are particularly strong having won eight, drawn five and lost just twice. They are unbeaten in six games since Boxing Day and have won their last three matches.

When the teams met at Park View Road earlier this season Welling recorded their only victory by more than one goal this term and did so in style. An Azeez first half hattrick and a goal in each half brace from Stefan Payne enabled supporters of the Wings to enjoy a comfortable afternoon for the first time since 2019.

However, their last visit to Oxford was not such a joyous occasion. The hosts were one up at half time before goalkeeper Tom Smith was forced off through injury. Welling had no goalkeeper on the bench so Kristian Campbell took the gloves and made a good save immediately.

Sadly, for the Wings, he couldn’t keep everything out and two unanswered goals in the last twenty minutes ensured victory for Oxford.

Whether Lyons-Foster and Sendles-White will be back remains to be seen but Feeney will also be hoping that Medy Elito is ready to return to add his creativity to Welling’s midfield.

Picture supplied by Dave Budden.