Bradley Quinton’s first league game as manager of Welling United could barely be any tougher.

On Saturday, they visit Vanarama National League South leaders Wealdstone. The Stones are four points clear at the top of the league and have won ten of their eleven home league games.

It will be especially tough for Quinton as four players have departed from the club, and Crystal Palace have today announced that they have agreed terms to sign Jay Rich-Baghuelou. However, Quinton is hopeful that he will be able to sign two or three replacements in time for the trip to Ruislip where Wealdstone play.

He gave an idea of what sort of player that he will be seeking to add. “We will look at what we can do within the budget.” He said. “I expect to bring in some players and if they want to be part of it they will be very very welcome. They will be working really hard but ultimately they have to want to play for this club. Fans pay money to come through the door, they expect hard work and that’s what I demand. “

“My game is to improve players and if they move on and the club makes a bit of money on it to improve the ground, improve facilities or increase the budget, then I feel I’ve done my job.”

As a player, Quinton was known for his no nonsense attitude. “You know what you got from me.” he added. “I wore the captain’s armband, I won promotion. I won titles under Rod Stringer, under Alan Devonshire, under Graham Roberts. So you learn things, good and bad and you take that on board. What I was as a player was creative, tenacious, hard work and left every single bit of energy on the pitch.”

New coaching staff will also be joining the club following the departures of Assistant Manager Hugo Langton and First Team Coach Osei Sankofa.

Whilst Wealdstone have lost just one home game, Havant and Waterlooville being the one team to win there, the struggling Wings have won just once (at Hungerford Town) and drawn three out of eleven league games on the road. They also come into the game on the back of four straight league defeats plus an F.A. Trophy loss at Yeovil Town.

However, Wealdstone were defeated during the week and have now lost two in a row first at Oxford City and then on Tuesday at Billericay Town, giving the chasing pack hope.

When Wealdstone visited Park View Road earlier in the season, they claimed the three points but it was extremely hard on the Wings. Two goals in ten minutes in the latter part of the second half, through Michael Phillips and Dennon Lewis, left Welling with a mountain to climb. After Adam Coombes pulled one back from the penalty spot with five minutes remaining, the Wings missed two excellent chances to level.

Coombes is on loan at Wealdstone at present but will not be allowed to play, however Jack Jebb joined the Stones from Welling earlier in the season and will be available for selection.

Picture supplied by Dave Budden.