On Saturday, bottom but one Welling United entertain the only team below them, Hungerford Town.
Last weekend Welling visited Vanarama National League South leaders Wealdstone and pushed them to the limit but ended up losing one-nil.
It was Bradley Quinton’s first league game as Welling United manager and even though the match ended in defeat, the performance gave him plenty of reason for optimism. Four newcomers signed in time to play and they all acquitted themselves well.
Quinton gave his reasons for signing the players saying “Phil Roberts scored seventeen or eighteen for me when he was at Braintree then Hemel came in and nicked him when Dean (Brennan) was the manager.”
He continued “Cameron James, holding midfielder, He’s from Colchester on loan. Diaz Wright, another holding midfield player on loan from Colchester. Their running on and off the ball and breaking lines (at Wealdstone) was superb.” Both players also played for Quinton in Braintree’s promotion winning season.
“Harold Joseph, is a centre half coming from Royston.” continued Quinton. “They’re second in the league and they beat Chester in the Trophy three-nil so fair play to Steve Castle. He’s a good friend of mine. They’re on a good run.”
Joseph played for Quinton at Enfield Town when they reached the Ryman Premier (as it was then) play-offs before being beaten by Dulwich Hamlet.
There may be another one or two new players signed ahead of the Hungerford game.
New coaching staff will also be joining the club following the departures of Assistant Manager Hugo Langton and First Team Coach Osei Sankofa.
When Welling visited Hungerford earlier in the season, they recorded their only away victory so far this term. Danny Waldren put the Wings ahead in first half injury time and when Anthony Cook scored a second with twelve minutes later it was as good as game over. James Rusby pulled one back in injury time but it was too little too late for the hosts.
Whilst that has been Welling’s only three point away day so far this season, Hungerford have won three times on the road at Dulwich Hamlet, Concord Rangers and Braintree Town.
With Hungerford being winless since December 3rd and Welling without a point since December 7th, it really is a league basement clash.
Last season’s corresponding fixture at Park View Road also ended in victory for the Wings. Bradley Goldberg, one of only two players who are still at the club, put the Wings ahead but Matt Jones levelled on the stroke of half time. Nassim L’Ghoul restored Welling’s lead and it was the hosts turn to score in the final minute of the half when Danny Mills netted.