After a one week break, Welling United hope to return to action on Saturday with a visit to Poole Town.
Last weekend they were without a fixture as a result of their scheduled opponents, Bognor Regis Town, being otherwise engaged in the F.A. Trophy.
It has been even worse for Poole as they have not had a game since New Year’s Day. On 6th January their game with Chippenham Town was called off due to a waterlogged pitch and they were also without a game last week due to their scheduled opponents being in Trophy action.
On Tuesday, their attempt to stage their game with Chippenham again fell foul of the weather and they will be very keen to get Saturday’s game played to avoid a fixture pile up.
In their last game, Welling ended their win-less run with a comfortable victory over Eastbourne Borough. They settled their nerves with Olumide Durojaiye’s first Welling goal in the ninth minute and Elliott Romain added a second half brace in the final game of his loan spell from Dagenham and Redbridge.
Despite their poor run, Welling are still just six points away from the play-off zone and Jamie Coyle will be eager to build on the win. Goalkeeper Jonathan Miles had a very quiet debut in Welling’s goal but impressed Coyle with his organisation.
Anthony Acheampong also started a one month loan and impressed alongside Jack Parkinson at the heart of the Welling defence and, despite the budget having been re-evaluated, Coyle is still happy that there is enough quality to go on another good run to finish in the top seven.
Hosts Poole are having a less successful season than they did last term when they missed out on a play-off place due to ground grading issues. This time around they have only recorded five victories so far and are five points adrift of the safety zone, although they have played one game fewer. Their home form has been particularly disappointing having won one (against Weston-super-Mare), drawn three and lost eight.
When the two teams met at Park View Road in September, Welling claimed a 2-0 victory through a debut goal from Eli Phipps and a headed second from Joe Healy.
However, in the corresponding fixture last season, Welling were not as successful. Somewhat against the run of play, Welling went ahead in the first half when Dean Morgan converted from the spot after Danny Waldren was felled.
Jamie Whisken levelled ten minutes after the break before Welling enjoyed the better of the remainder of the game. Just as it appeared that the two teams were going to settle for a point, Sam Surridge broke away and prodded home a late, late winner.
Coyle will be grateful that those players who have been carrying knocks have had a chance for extra rest as he will expect the pitch to be heavy on Saturday and his players will have to be ready for the battle.
Picture supplied by Dave Budden.