Following two consecutive frozen off home games, Welling United will hope it’s third time lucky when they hope to entertain Oxford City on Saturday.

Icy conditions resulted in Welling’s league game at home to Dartford on Saturday and Tuesday’s Kent Senior Cup game with Bromley being postponed.

That may be frustrating for joint caretaker managers Tristan Lewis and Harry Wheeler who wanted to build on their excellent F.A. Trophy win at Bromley but it will give them the opportunity to rest players carrying knocks.

Goalkeeper Chris Lewington threw out whenever possible to protect his thigh strain and Rickie Hayles had to play through pain to get through the second half after be subject of some heavy challenges in the first period.

When Oxford hosted Welling on the opening day of the season, Welling paid the penalty when Oliver Sprague conceded two spot kicks.

Although Danny Waldren equalised after the first one, there was no comeback after the second and Welling came home empty handed.

Since the end of November, Welling have won eight out of nine games in all competitions with their only defeat coming at Hemel Hempstead Town three weeks ago. Despite the upturn in form, and partly due to four of the eight wins being in cup competitions, they are still only two points clear of the relegation zone and need to register some more league wins urgently.

Visitors, Oxford have only lost one in the last six since crashing 6-0 at Hungerford Town. Their last two games have been drawn, though, 3-3 at Concord Rangers (a game in which they conceded two penalties) and 0-0 at home to Bath City.

Whilst  they are eight points ahead of Welling, Oxford have played three games more so they will also be keen to claim the three points on offer to avoid being dragged into the relegation dog-fight.

Hopefully, the temperature will rise sufficiently for the ground to thaw. With the result meaning a lot to both teams, the stage is set for a close encounter.

Picture supplied by Dave Budden.