After a disappointing FA Trophy exit, Welling United will look to bounce back on Tuesday evening when they host Weymouth in the Vanarama National League South.
Losing at home to Southern League Premier South club Havant and Waterlooville, was a blow to their financial situation as well as to their hopes of starting a good run. It came on the back of four league defeats to take them into a relegation battle.
On Saturday, they had been the only team in their Trophy match for twenty five minutes before conceding what was described by Welling manager. Rod Stringer, as a ‘preventable goal’. Welling were still in the game until they conceded a second through a bad goalkeeping misjudgement.
In the last fifteen minutes, the Wings played at a higher tempo and pulled one back through Alex Lankshear with seven minutes remaining plus another seven of stoppage time. Then, in the final minute of additional time, Anointed Chukwu was denied by a stunning save by Ben Dudzinski.
Meanwhile, Weymouth were on the right side of a surprise result at league leaders Weston-super-Mare. They went two up within the first fifteen minutes through Charlie Rowan and Tom Bearwish before the hosts pulled one back just before half time. Brandon Goodship restored the Terras’ two goal advantage shortly after the break and Weston’s second goal was too little, too late.
Although, third from bottom, Weymouth have a decent away record having won two, drawn two and lost four (they are yet to win at home). The two wins came at Dorking Wanderers and Aveley.
When Welling hosted Weymouth last season, it was the penultimate game of the season in April, The match was a pretty uneventful encounter with no goals but the point Welling earned was enough to guarantee their safety.
Some are describing this match as a ‘six-pointer’ which, of course, it isn’t as no promotion or relegation issues have ever been decided in November. However, with the club from Dorset only four points behind the Wings and having played a game fewer, it could have an effect on confidence and momentum.
Images courtesy of Dave Budden