On Saturday Welling United take a break from their league campaign with an F.A. Cup second qualifying round game with Chesham United. 

Steve King’s Wings come into the game on the back of a six game unbeaten league run whilst the visitors are having a disappointing time in the Evo-Stik League South Premier Division South. So far they have only claimed one point in seven games.

However, King knows that the game won’t be easy. He said “Form goes out of the window. The League table goes out of the window. I’ve been on the end of cup wins where you shouldn’t win the game but you do.” An example of how seriously King is taking it was that a scout was sent to Taunton Town last Saturday to produce a full report.

That game finished in a 4-0 victory for high flying Taunton. However, one week earlier they defeated Biggleswade Town 2-1 to get to this round and they are expected to bring a good following who will be trying to cheer the Generals on to a shock result.

For King, the world’s most famous club domestic knock-out competition is important. “I love the FA Cup..” he said. “I think it’s a great competition. It raises the profile for the club and the players. There’s prize money at stake that could help massively. It’s a big priority. I put it right up there with everything.”

Supporters of Welling will recall that they entered the cup at this stage last season and hosted lower league Haringey Borough but came a cropper. Ralston Gabriel put the visitors ahead but when Joe Healy levelled the Wings were expected to go on and win it. Haringey had other ideas though and Gabriel scored again to put the under-dogs through.

Injuries have disrupted King’s selections of late and Anthony Acheampong and Richard Orlu are expected to sit out the game. It may also be a week too soon for Charles Banya.

Bradley Goldberg and Jack Jebb both went off injured last Saturday and whether they can participate will depend on how they have responded to treatment during the week. However, on the credit side Jordan Gibbons should be ready to make a return to stake a claim for a starting place.

One Chesham player who will be known to King is 39 year old Dominica international Jefferson Louis who played a couple of game for Lewes under him in 2005, one of the 37 teams that Louis has represented.

Images courtesy of Dave Budden