Following their disappointment on Tuesday evening, Welling United entertain Hemel Hempstead Town on Saturday.
Despite having been the better team for the first hour in their derby match at Dartford, they lost to a goal ten minutes from time, finished by Elliot Bradbrook.
They had fallen behind, against the run of play, when conceding a ‘soft’ penalty, but when Adam Coombes fired in a spectacular equaliser five minutes later, the Wings appeared the more likely winners.
After the match, Mark Goldberg was left to reflect on what might have been. He was more irked by Welling’s defenders failure to follow up when Bradbrook’s spot kick was beaten out, than the award itself, harsh as it might have been.
He also admitted that the Darts had the greater quality on their substitutes bench than he could muster. Ryan Hayes and Ryan Noble both had an impact when coming on, the latter delivering the cross from which Dartford scored the winner.
His frustration at the length of time it was taking to get international clearance from Iceland for Dean Morgan was not helped by the fact that George Allen, Harry Crawford, Sam Hatton and Jamie Slabber were all still absent through injury. None are of the injured are likely to be available on Saturday. Morgan’s clearance has come through, however, so he will be in contention for a starting place.
At home, Welling are yet to claim a point and Goldberg is well aware that something needs to be done about that. There is no doubt that Welling have improved in recent weeks but now they need to convert that form into points.
Their last game at Park View Road was poor and they could not feel aggrieved with the result, losing 2-0 against Chelmsford City. They were short of players and had to call in teenagers Harvey Brand and Josh Jackson from Chatham Town, where they are on dual registration. Neither of them let themselves done but too many players had to play out of position and the team lacked cohesion.
On Saturday, they should have a more balanced team available and will want to show some of their recent away form to the home supporters.
Visitors Hemel Hempstead have claimed just one point on the road this season, in a 2-2 draw at Ebbsfleet United. The Tudors other three away games ended in heavy defeats, 3-0 at Eastbourne Borough, 5-0 at league leaders Maidenhead United, and 3-0 at Hungerford Town.
Victory for Welling would help them to get Tuesday night out of their system and kick start their home campaign.
Images courtesy of Dave Budden