At the end of an interesting week, Welling United take on Gosport Borough in a game that could have big consequences.

Should the Wings prevail, they would be eight points clear of the relegation zone with four games left to play. However, should they suffer a defeat, they would be just two points ahead of their visitors.

Last Saturday, Welling had a tough time at Ebbsfleet United going down 5-1. Dan Walker put the Wings ahead early on, then had a chance to make it two but had his shot cleared off the line.

After that, Ebbsfleet took over and, other than a shot that Rhys Murrell-Williamson had tipped onto the post by Nathan Ashmore, they had a relatively comfortable afternoon.

Danny Waldren’s harsh sending off didn’t help their case, however it did not affect the outcome. The most important thing was that Welling’s appeal was successful and the dismissal was rescinded. Therefore he will not have to sit out the Good Friday match with Truro City under suspension.

If that was good news for Welling, it was tempered by the loss of joint caretaker manager Harry Wheeler. According to the Wings’ website, Wheeler wanted more say in team selection and tactics, currently being decided by Chairman Mark Goldberg.

Wheeler has now been offered a coaching role at Billericay Town. Meanwhile Welling will be keen to find another coach to see them through the last few weeks of the season.

It will be interesting to see who plays at centre back on Saturday. Out of five who are now on Welling’s books, only Phil Walsh finished the game at Ebbsfleet.

Sean Francis is unlikely to play again this season. Rickie Hayles probably came back one game early and couldn’t play beyond half time at Ebbsfleet. Dean Leacock and Ben Martin missed out through injuries.

Hayles will probably put his body back on the line if necessary and Leacock was due to have an injection earlier this week which should put him back into contention. Therefore, one of those two are most likely to start.

Harry Crawford also missed out following injury in Welling’s last home league game against Hungerford Town but is expected to be fit to contest a more attacking role. Archie Johnson will probably be allowed to return to Thamesmead Town where he is enjoying plenty of playing time.

Until mid-March, Gosport looked dead and buried following six consecutive defeats but consecutive home victories against St Albans City (4-0) and Bath City (1-0) gave then hope. They then crashed 5-1 at Chelmsford City but claimed a vital point in a 1-1 draw with Weston-super-Mare.

Their remaining games after Welling are away to Bishop’s Stortford, home to Oxford City, before visiting Concord Rangers and hosting Whitehawk. They will arrive at Park View Road believing they can still escape so it could be a tense encounter.

Picture supplied by Dave Budden.