Looking at the league table and Welling United’s results on the road so far this season, few outsiders would have expecting them to win at second placed Gateshead.

However, anyone who has seen the Wings at Forest Green Rovers, Wrexham and Woking would have known that the team was more than capable of coming away with the spoils.

Two crackers from Xavier Vidal set them on the road and a strong organised performance in the second half meant there were very few alarms.

Despite being without several key players, those who came in performed so well that it will be interesting to see who starts in the Tuesday night fixture versus Chester.

First team coach, Paul Barnes, is happy enough. “Competition for places is a lovely headache for us to have.”

Sahr Kabba and Barney Williams will both be in contention for starting places but such were the performances of Nortei Nortey at full back, and Ricky Wellard in support of George Porter, that they may both have to wait for their chances.

Tashan Adeyinka should also be back and Head Coach, Matt McEntegart stated “Zac (Fagan) and Harry (Osborne) should be available at some point this week.”

Manager, Loui Fazakerley, expects his team to build on Saturday’s victory. “It’s important to start fast. We will be approaching this game like we approach every other game. Confidence is going to be sky high.

“After a result like this, I can only see us kicking on. We’re at home and I expect us to go into this game and get a result.”

Chester also come into the game on the back of a good result. They defeated Eastleigh 1-0 courtesy of an early Ben Heneghan goal and sit in a comfortable place in mid-table.

Away from home, Chester have won two, drawn one and lost two. Victories were achieved at FC Halifax Town (1-0) and Macclesfield Town (2-1). They drew 0-0 at Dover Athletic but were well beaten at Woking (5-2) and Tranmere Rovers (2-0).

In the corresponding fixture last season, a Welling side lacking in confidence slumped to a 3-1 defeat. Reece Harris gave the Wings the lead but Oliver McBurnie headed home an equaliser. Jake Gallagher was then dismissed leaving Welling to play the last 52 minutes with ten men.

Just before the break, a very harsh penalty was awarded against Darren Purse for handball, and John Rooney slammed the spot kick home, The brother of England captain Wayne made the game safe two minutes after the break when putting a free kick into the bottom corner.

There is always a special atmosphere when Welling play under the Park View Road floodlights and they will be looking to feed off that, and Saturday’s result, to start climbing up the league.

Picture supplied by Dave Budden.