Following the early year postponement, Welling United entertain Braintree Town who have suffered even more than the Wings as a result of the awful prolonged wet spell.

The two clubs have already met twice this season, both times at Braintree’s Amlin Stadium.

Before this season, Welling had visited Braintree’s home six times, losing five and drawing once. It looked like the game was following the usual pattern when the Iron went ahead through Charlie Strutton but Welling player-manager Jamie Day equalised just four minutes later.

Lee Clarke put Welling ahead from a Kurtis Guthrie cross, dummied cleverly by Joe Healy, in the 72^nd minute. Guthrie was again the provider when Alex Dyer added a third, ten minutes later. Jordan Cox pulled one back with a minute remaining but Welling held out for a well deserved victory.

When the two teams met again in the F.A. Trophy, it was an entirely different story. Welling had an F.A. Cup game at Plymouth Argyle the following week, and a midweek Skrill Premier match at Grimsby Town ahead of them, so Day took the decision to rest several key players and to give full first team debuts to four fringe players.

Dan Holman put the Iron ahead in the first half before second half goals by Dan Sparkes and Cox ensured it was the hosts who advanced.

Blaine Hudson will be available to return but should Alfie Mawson recover from the knock he took on Saturday, Day might find it difficult to disrupt his successful partnership with Quade Taylor. Jake Gallagher returned from suspension on Saturday but he has also been ill and only played the last twenty minutes. Whether he will be fit enough to start against Braintree remains questionable.

Tom Bender is definitely out having only been released from hospital on Friday and Kurtis Guthrie’s back injury looks likely to exclude him. Jack Obersteller needs to build his fitness up following his illness and won’t be ready however Day is hopeful that Ross Lafayette may be able to play a part.

After this game, Welling will have caught up on all their postponed games. However Alan Devonshire’s team, two points ahead, still have another four to make up and will have to play again on Thursday before embarking on a hectic final last four weeks.

Picture supplied by Dave Budden.