Following a spell of five derbies in six games, Welling United travel to Sussex to play Burgess Hill Town in the Isthmian League Premier Division.
On Tuesday, the Wings visited Cray Valley (PM) for a vital encounter with both at risk of relegation. They went behind in the nineteenth minute to a goal by Makise Evans but the game was given a different complexion when Danny Waldren was dismissed for handling on the goal-line and Ade Azeez converted from the penalty spot to equalise.
Troy Howard put Welling ahead on the hour mark, before Sam Smith scored a spectacular third. John Ufuah added a fourth goal in stoppage time to round off a good evening’s work. That moved them up to third from bottom, a point behind Carshalton Athletic and three points behind Cray Valley having played a game fewer than both of them.
At the same time, Burgess Hill were in action at Wingate & Finchley and won two-one. Chris Whelpdale put the Hillians ahead in the fourteenth minute and George Vorster added a second from the penalty spot five minutes into the second period. Two minutes later, Stefan Ilic pulled one back with another spot kick but the visitors held out to win all three points. That left them eighth in the table, just five points outside the play-off places.
Back in November, the two teams met at Park View Road and the visitors took all three points with a two-one win. Martyn Box put them ahead two minutes before half time before John Ufuah equalised five minutes after the restart. Glen Rea scored the winner with twelve minutes remaining.
Ryan Maxwell will have at least one difficult decision to make. While Lekan Majoyegbe has been serving his suspension, Luton Town loanee Vladimir Paternoster has been outstanding in his place. Both will be available for selection on Saturday. Maxwell also hopes to have another newcomer ahead of the game but he may have to start from the bench.
There will be a supporters coach running organised by the Welling United Supporters Association so a good turnout of Wings’ followers is expected. Maxwell is thrilled that the supporters are travelling to get behind the team. He said “The support at Cray Valley was out of this world. Brilliant. It had a big affect on us. I’m sure it did. The positivity transcends on to the pitch and gives the players energy and belief. I think that’s so important, I really do. The supporters are a big part of our fight for survival.”
Image courtesy of Romana Rule