Still searching for their first Vanarama National League win since October, Welling United host Woking on Easter Monday.

On Good Friday, the Wings travelled to Eastleigh and looked the better side in the early exchanges. Then disaster struck for the Wings when Michael Bakare was shown a very harsh red card for a tackle on Dan Harding.

Having watched it again on video, Dean Frost felt it was unjust but that there was little point on spending £100 on an appeal as it was unlikely it would be overturned based on Welling’s past record. As a result, Bakare will miss the next three games.

It is often the case that dismissals ruin matches and Welling had to curb their attacking instinct when short of a striker. Eastleigh were unable to make their advantage tell, however, and goalkeeper Michael McEntegart was delighted to keep Welling’s first clean sheet since early October.

He was only in the team due to Marek Rodak’s absence on international duty, and took his opportunity with a faultless display.

Also given an opportunity to impress was Joey Taylor. Noah Chesmain has performed well at left back and has been recalled by Millwall and will not be returning to Park View Road this season.

When picked to play at Guiseley earlier in the season, Taylor was described by then coach Paul Barnes as “On the ball his passing range is second to none. He is one of the best technical players we’ve got.” Quite how a player with such an endorsement was not lost on current manager Dean Frost.

“Joey will have now until the end of the season, as long as he performs well. He’s got good quality, he’s tenacious, he’s quick, he’s a good athlete. He came into the side two years ago against Braintree. Probably, he should be sitting on 20 or 30 performances now, rather than just four or five. This is his opportunity.”

Monday’s visitors Woking are also enduring a tough time. Frost hasn’t given up on the possibility of staying up and will look at this game as the opportunity to claim a win. “Never say never. Nothing’s over until it’s mathematically impossible. I don’t think Woking are in a great run of form so maybe it will be us who can break our duck.”

Woking’s last victory was at Wrexham on 9^th January. Since then, they have failed to claim a point on their travels but with fifty points on the board, should be safe from relegation.

When the two teams met at Kingfield in August, Woking claimed a comfortable 2-0 victory and had Kadell Daniel in their starting line up. He is now a Welling player and will be hoping that Bakare’s misfortune will present him with an opportunity to put one over his former club.

Last season at Park View Road, the two teams shared the points in a one all draw. Harry Beautyman put Welling ahead with just over thirty minute on the board but the Cards claimed a share of the spoils with an equaliser through Adam Newton with nine minutes remaining.

Picture supplied by Dave Budden.