Although, Welling United’s unbeaten run came to an end last Saturday, they still travel to St. Albans City in good heart.

Wealdstone ended their run of six consecutive wins with a controversial 2-1 victory at Park View Road. However, that was just their second defeat in 14 league games and they are unbeaten away since the opening game of the season when they conceded a last minute freak goal at Truro City.

St. Albans got off to a flyer, winning their first six league games. However, since then they have only won two in eight, at home to Havant and Waterlooville and Bath City.

Had either of the clubs still been in the F.A. Cup, this game would have been postponed but Welling went out at the first time of asking at home to Haringey whist the Saints were knocked out in the final qualifying round at home to Boreham Wood.

While Welling were losing to Wealdstone, St Albans were also beaten 2-1 at Dartford who are now leading the Vanarama National League South.

As Dartford are still in the F.A. Cup, hosting Swindon Town on Sunday, the chasing pack will have a chance of leap frogging them, or closing the gap. St Albans are in fifth place, three points off the top whilst Welling are in seventh place, a further two points adrift.

Two former Wings, Tom Bender and Rhys Murrell-Williamson, are expected to be in the St Albans starting line up.

Manager Jamie Coyle will have some decisions to make. Connor Dymond returns from suspension however Jack Parkinson will miss out to serve a one game ban of his own. Dymond is expected to regain his place at right back with Ian Gayle returning to the centre alongside Coyle.

On Tuesday night, the Wings, minus Olumide Durojaiye who was given paternity leave, warmed up with a friendly at Welling Town.

They went ahead in the eighth minute. Bradley Goldberg’s initial shot was saved by Jack Moore but Joe Healy collected the rebound and laid off for Eli Phipps to finish. Six minutes later, Jeffrey Monakana used his pace and strength to burst down the wing before coming in and slotting home.

Moore made a good save from Jack Jebb’s free kick before Mehmet Piro shot wide for Welling Town. Ben Jefford added a third from twenty yards before Moore saved from Monakana.

Multiple changes were made at the break including Harry Phipps’ comeback from his six week lay off through injury. Veteran striker Jon Main had a shot saved by Dillon Barnes before Goldberg failed to convert a Jebb free kick.

Harry Richards saw a shot come back off the post and Ollie Milton had an effort well saved by Dayle Fishenden who had replaced Moore. Richards had the last say when he burst through and finished.

 

Welling United line up (4-4-2): Barnes; Dymond, Coyle (Johnson 59), Gayle (Brown 46), Jefford; Monakana (Richards 46), Jebb, Healy (H. Phipps 46), Nanetti (Hever 66); E. Phipps (Bradbrook 46), Goldberg (Milton 59).

Picture supplied by Dave Budden.