On Saturday, Welling United entertain Oxford City in their only home game in a run of six.

Leading into the game they had been on the road for three games in a row and travel to Bognor Regis and Hungerford next week.

In those three games they won two on trips to Essex either side of a defeat in North West London. They started with a 2-0 victory at Concord Rangers before suffering an agonising injury time goal defeat at Wealdstone. However, they bounced back with a 1-0 triumph at East Thurrock United, although the margin of victory might have been greater.

Connor Dymond has missed Welling’s last two games through suspension but is available again on Saturday. Jamie Coyle will have almost his full squad from which to select unless anyone took a knock in the team’s behind closed doors friendly at Maidstone United on Tuesday night. The one player still missing is long term injured Pierre Joseph-Dubois.

Two players came into the Welling team at East Thurrock and both made telling contributions. Magnus Okuonghae was outstanding at the back on his debut, whilst Adam Coombes marked his second Wings’ debut with the only goal of the game.

There was further good news for Welling supporters this week with the announcement that Jamie Philpot’s loan from Millwall has been extended until the end of the season.

Saturday’s visitors, Oxford City, won’t make Welling’s afternoon easy. Although league leaders Havant and Waterlooville beat them 1-0 on Saturday, their previous three results had been victories over Chelmsford City, Truro City and Hemel Hempstead Town, all promotion chasing teams. They have won five times on the road, but have lost nine and drawn just two.

Those nine points have taken them away from the drop zone and on the cusp of safety but they will still be looking for another two or three more wins to guarantee it.

When the two teams met at their Marsh Lane ground in August, the spoils were shared. Rob Sinclair put the hosts ahead just before half time. However they gifted Welling an equaliser with eleven minutes remaining. Oxford captain Lee Henderson assaulted Jack Parkinson off the ball in his own penalty area and the referee was given no option.

Henderson was dismissed and a penalty was awarded. Bradley Goldberg stepped up and converted for his third goal of the season.

Whilst Havant and Waterlooville are probably out of range for Welling, it’s very tight below with Dartford in second place only nine points ahead of the Wings having played a game more. Although Welling are still one place outside the play-off zone, they are one of three teams on fifty points and are only the lowest of the three on goal difference so will be equally keen to win.