Following two tough away games, Welling United return to Park View Road with Poole Town the visitors.

Visiting Bath City and Braintree Town in the space of four days was never going to be easy. Both were expected to be challenging at the top end of the table. Coming away from those games undefeated was an example of how difficult Welling are to beat now.

At Bath on Saturday, Welling should have won. They missed some good chances despite losing both of their front-line strikers through injury in the first half. Leaving Twerton Park with a point was better than many teams will achieve so they were not too downcast on their journey home.

Their visit to Braintree Town was very different. On a miserable evening, Welling continued playing an attractive passing game despite having to play several players out of position. .

When the Iron took the lead, a little against the run of play, they might have folded but came back well to equalise through a brilliant Jeffrey Monakana effort from twenty yards and were pleased to go in level.

After the break, Braintree came out strongly and dominated the second period. However excellent defending and goalkeeping, along with a little bit of luck when the hosts hit the post, ensured that the Wings came away with a point.

Jamie Coyle, Welling’s player manager, knows that the hard earned away points will count for nothing if they don’t start winning some home games, and the need to start soon to climb away from the drop zone.

Saturday’s visitors, Poole Town, had an excellent first season in the National League South but are finding things a little more difficult this time around. Like Welling, they have picked up eight points from their first nine games and are equally keen to put some wins together.

On the road they have claimed both of their victories achieved so far, winning at Weston-super-Mare and Chippenham Town. They picked up a point at Whitehawk and their only away defeat so far was at Bath.

When the two teams met at Park View Road, goalkeeper Nick Hutchings punched into his own net then Rhys Murrell-Williamson almost made it two with a shot that clattered the bar. Murrell-Williamson was then fouled in the area and Harry Crawford converted from the spot.

In the second half Poole upped the pace and Chris Lewington pulled off three great saves before Steve Devlin pulled one back, also from the penalty spot. Welling had the best of the latter stages and might have increased their lead but they were happy to settle for a 2-1 win.

Image Courtesy of Dave Budden