Following back to back defeats for the first time under Steve King, Welling United will be looking to bounce back at Hemel Hempstead Town on Saturday.
Travelling to Hertfordshire will end a trilogy of away games which are yet to yield a point.
Matches at Torquay United and Hampton and Richmond Borough were played on poor playing surfaces and difficult playing conditions, especially the game at Hampton, and Welling struggled to play their passing game.
It certainly won’t be an easy game. Hemel are in eighth place, one point outside the play-off zone, and are just three points behind the Wings. Their home record sums up the unpredictability of the Vanarama National League South as they have won four, drawn two, and lost four however their last home game saw them defeat Eastleigh from the Premier division in the F.A. Trophy.
Amid their ranks they have one of the best dead-ball exponents in the league in former Ebbsfleet United player Jordan Parkes. Former Wing Joe Howe is also in their squad.
When the two teams met in Hertfordshire last season, their two all draw included a contender for the league goal of the season. Antonio Germain put the Tudors ahead after just six minutes and Parkes made it two from the penalty spot before half time.
At the break, manager Jamie Coyle made a double change and Welling came out strongly. Nine minutes into the second half, Welling pulled one back when Archie Johnson crossed for Tom Bradbrook to rise and head home. Five minutes later, Welling levelled in spectacular fashion.
Laurie Walker charged out of his penalty area to make a hurried clear that Joe Healy collected on the half way line. He controlled it with one touch before launching it fifty yards into the unguarded net.
Both teams had chances before a controversial end to the game. In injury time Christian Nanetti burst into the penalty area and appeared to have been felled but the referee felt it was simulation and cautioned the Italian.
Steve King will need to make at least one change to his line up as Danny McNamara’s loan spell has finished and he has returned to Millwall. Nassim L’Ghoul remains an injury doubt but other than Jack Jebb, who is out for the season, King has the rest of his squad from which to select.
Picture supplied by Dave Budden.