On Monday, Welling United host newly crowned Vanarama National League South champions Maidstone United in a league fixture that could still have an impact on the hosts’ season.

Hakan Hayrettin’s team clinched the title on Saturday by defeating Chelmsford City three-one whilst the only team that could catch them, Dorking Wanderers, were defeated at St Albans City.

Jack Barham continued his hot-streak when putting the Stones ahead two minutes before half time and Hady Ghandour made it two six minutes after the break.

Roarie Deacon added a third with nine minutes remaining before Simeon Jackson scored a consolation goal for the Clarets, The Stones have ‘hit their straps’ at just the right time, winning their last six on the spin since losing at Slough Town.

They will want to finish their campaign in style and Welling manager Warren Feeney is in no doubt that they will be on top of their game at Park View Road. After the Wings’ match at Hungerford, he said “They’re all tough games when your down at the bottom and you’re fighting for your lives, so we’ve just got to keep enjoying it. Congratulations to Maidstone, who won the title today. We’ve got to go about our match with them in the right way, and enjoy it, and put in a performance at home.” 

His teams’ game at Hungerford could easily have been the third two-all draw with the agony of conceding a last gasp equaliser in eight days. At home to Havant and Waterlooville, the visitors levelled in the ninety-sixth minute, and in their Kent Senior Cup tie with Dartford, it was the ninety-fifth minute with the Darts winning on penalties. 

At Hungerford, the Wings were one down until Dipo Akinyemi scored with nine minutes remaining and Alfie Matthews put them ahead in the final minute. However, history almost repeated itself again when, with almost the last kick of the game, goalkeeper Luke Cairney rattled the crossbar with a shot from thirty yards.

When the two teams met at the end of December, the Stones enjoyed a four-one victory. Akinyemi put the Wings ahead Dominic Odusanya rifled the hosts level shortly after before Deacon put them ahead. Barham’s lob, five minutes into the second half gave them some daylight and Gavin Hoyte rounded off the scoring just after the hour mark. 

With only one defeat in their last four, Welling will be working hard to try and get enough out of their last two games to avoid leaving the league in the opposite direction to the Stones. Maidstone having sold out of their allocated tickets so there should be a carnival atmosphere.

Picture supplied by Dave Budden.