Following their well deserved point from their game against Dartford on Tuesday evening, Welling United travel to Whitehawk on Saturday.
Co-caretaker manager Harry Wheeler confirmed that despite being higher in the league than the hosts, they were expecting a tough battle.”We’ve got to treat them that they’re the best team we’ve played all season.” he said. “That’s got to be game by game. Each team are going to be the best team we play.
“If they apply themselves, I think we’ll go there and win the game. It’s all about staying at that level.”
Wheeler will be well aware that Whitehawk won twice at Park View Road in consecutive weeks in October. They claimed a 1-0 victory in the F.A. Cup 4th qualifying round courtesy of a Reece Connolly strike in the fourth minute.
Then they completed the away double with a 2-1 Vanarama National League South victory. Ahmed Abdulla put the Hawks ahead, following up after Chris Lewington had saved his penalty.
Three minutes later Adam Coombes converted Christian Nanetti’s cross to level but Danny Mills claimed the winner with six minutes remaining.
Those with a half full glass will see Welling have lost just once in five games. However, those with a half empty glass will look at the fact that Welling have only won one of those five games. The important thing is that they are picking up points to keep the buffer between them and the bottom three.
Victory at Margate last Saturday was Whitehawk’s first league victory since beating the same team at home the week after their victory at Park View Road. Hopes that they had turned the corner on Saturday were dashed by a 4-1 reverse at home to Hemel Hempstead Town on Wednesday.
Although Sam Hatton (suspended) and Pierre Joseph-Dubois (injured) will miss out, Welling have plenty of options up front. Five signings in the last three weeks have bolstered the squad and Michael Thalassitis (full debut) and Alex Cathline (second half substitute) both made encouraging first appearances against Dartford.
Picture supplied by Dave Budden.