On Saturday Welling United return to home soil at Park View Road when they entertain Slough Town on ‘Non-League Day’.
Steve King’s Wings have spent the last two Saturday’s in the west of the country, first at Bath City in the Vanarama National League South, then last week at Hereford in the F.A. Cup. On both occasions they put in excellent professional performances winning both 2-0.
They defended so well that over the combined 180 minutes they only had two clear cut chances against them whilst improving their goals to chances ratio at the other end.
As a result, they have climbed to third place in the league and will travel to Woking with the winners claiming a first round place in the F.A. Cup.
Since then they have made another new signing with Matt Paterson coming in from Oxford City. The striker scored 34 goals in 62 games whilst there and the Scot can include playing for Aldershot, Gosport Borough, Havant and Waterlooville and Burton Albion on his C.V.
Saturday’s visitors, Slough Town have made a great start to the season following their promotion and sit in fifth place just one point behind Welling.
This will be the first league meeting between the two clubs since they drew 1-1 at Park View Road in December 1997. However, they met again in the F.A. Trophy one season later and then were drawn to face each other in the F.A. Cup in seasons 2003-4 and 2004-5.
Injuries have disrupted King’s selections of late but there was some good news last week with Brendan Kiernan returning and scoring. Jordan Gibbons and David Ijaha also came off the bench for late cameos whilst Bradley Goldberg was amongst the non playing substitutes.
He will be grateful for the returning players as this Saturday he will be without Craig Braham-Barrett who is away on international duty with Montserrat.
To recognise Non-League Day and the international break there is a special deal for Premier League and EFL club supporters who on production of their season tickets will be admitted to the ground for ten pounds.
Picture supplied by Dave Budden.