After Saturday’s game fell victim to ‘The Beast of the East’, Welling United will hope to be back in Vanarama National League South division action when visiting Wealdstone on Monday evening.

There was an announcement from Wealdstone on Sunday afternoon that their ground in Ruislip is fit for football and that the Monday morning pitch inspection has been cancelled as not deemed necessary.

Although Welling will have been frustrated at not playing on Saturday, they might feel it to be a blessing in disguise that they haven’t had to play two games in three days with their small squad. Ben Jefford was injured at Concord Rangers one week earlier, and if it was decided that he had suffered concussion, he may not have been allowed to play for seven days under the current regulations.

Jefford should now be able participate at Wealdstone however Welling will be without captain Connor Dymond who starts a two match suspension for accumulating ten yellow cards.

Jamie Coyle’s Welling team come into the game with plenty of confidence having won five of their last six games. Should Welling prevail they will move into a play-off position even if only for twenty-four hours.

Twelfth placed Wealdstone are six points behind Welling but have played a game fewer. They also go into the game in high spirits as their last game was a thunderous five-two F.A. Trophy victory at big spending Billericay Town. Former Ebbsfleet striker Bradley Bubb scored a hat-trick and he will need to be watched.

However, they have lost their last two home games, both 2-1, against Dartford and Gloucester City and the big freeze meant that they were unable to stage their home game against Oxford City on Saturday.

When the two teams met at Park View Road earlier in the season, Wealdstone claimed the three points. Ryan Sellers put the visitors ahead from a tight angle and Daniel Green made it two from the penalty spot just after the break.

Once Jefford had been sent off, all looked lost but Welling came back strongly and reduced the arrears through Jack Parkinson. However, the Wings were unable to breach the Stones defence again and Wealdstone went home happy.

Last season, when the two teams met at the Vale Stadium, relegation threatened Welling were worthy victors. They were kept at bay by a series of fine saves by Jonathan North whilst the Stones only mustered three shots, all off target, in the ninety minutes.

Despite their dominance, it still took an injury time own goal to win Welling all three points. Substitute Archie Johnson whipped in an excellent left wing cross that Elliott Godfrey could only head into the roof of his own net.

Picture supplied by Dave Budden.