Alternating between league matches and knock out ties, it’s back to knock-out action for Welling United this weekend with an F.A. Cup fourth round qualifying tie against Eastleigh.

Three consecutive home cup draws have given Welling United the chance to reach the first round but first they have to get beyond in-form Vanarama National League team Eastleigh.

To get this far, the Wings have beaten Chipstead seven-nil and AFC Tavistock four-one. Bradley Goldberg has scored five times, Anthony Cook and Adam Coombes have two apiece and Jack Jebb and Danny Waldren have one each.

In the league, Welling have been inconsistent and lost one-nil at home to Hampton and Richmond Borough in a scrappy match last weekend. They came out strongly and came close a couple of times. They could also have scored at the end when they went to three at the back but it was scrappy in between and the visitors scored the only goal of the match with their one clear cut chance.

Eastleigh are on an excellent run of form and have lost just one of their last nine games and are unbeaten in five. Danny Hollands, Marcus Barnes and Tyrone Barnett are all goal threats but manager Mark Goldberg now has all his defenders available.

Only Aaron Cosgrave is a definite absentee although fellow wide-man Gavin McCallum remains questionable and it may be one week too soon for him.

Goldberg and Head Coach Hugo Langton have been to see Eastleigh so Welling will be well prepared. They will know that they have to be on top form to win the game but the F.A. Cup throws up surprise results and there’s no reason why Welling cannot record one.

Picture supplied by Dave Budden.