Following their F.A. Cup defeat on Tuesday night, Welling United will be looking to bounce back when they entertain St. Albans City on Saturday.

Last Saturday, the Wings were the better side against National League Eastleigh but they were unable to find the goal that their performance deserved. They then had to go to Hampshire on Tuesday night and went down four-two in the replay. Despite the score-line, they had their moments but the hosts have only lost once all season at home and they were clinical with their chances.

Now they need to set about moving away from the lower part of the Vanarama National League South if they wish to keep in touch with the play-off places. Despite being down in fifteenth place, they are still only seven points off seventh place and a decent run of results could put them back in a healthy place on the table.

Saturday’s visitors, St Albans, are currently bottom of the table but it’s hard to understand why when you look at the quality of their squad. No wins in six league and cup games, five of them defeats, is the reason that they find themselves in that situation.

However, Welling would be foolish to take the Saints lightly as it has become evident that anyone can beat anyone in this division. In their last home league game, Welling were defeated by another team, Hampton and Richmond Borough, who are below them in the table.

When the two teams met in last season’s corresponding fixture, back in March, it finished in a two all draw. Zane Banton stunned the promotion chasing Wings with a tenth minute goal but Welling looked on their way to three points when Josh Hill scored two goals in four second half minutes shortly after coming on as a substitute.

From having appeared to be in control, things changed when first Danny Mills was sent off then Arnaud Mendy conceded a penalty and was shown a second yellow card to compound the punishment. Sam Merson converted the penalty and the Saints had fifteen minutes against nine men to get a winner but Welling contained them well and were not really troubled again.

Only Bradley Goldberg, Gavin McCallum and Dan Wilks remain from the Welling team that played in that game so last season’s game will have little bearing on this one.

Picture supplied by Dave Budden.