Attention turns to the Isuzu FA Trophy on Saturday as the Wings host Havant & Waterlooville in the second round at Park View Road (3pm).
Both sides will be looking to go one better than last season’s efforts in the competition, with both the Wings and the Hawks being knocked out at the first hurdle last term and if September’s pulsating league meeting in DA16 is anything to go by, we’re sure to be in for an exciting cup tie this weekend.
Should the game finish all-square after 90 minutes, the tie will go straight to a penalty shootout to determine a winner for a place in the third round.
THE OPPOSITION
The Hawks have been enjoying an impressive season under Paul Doswell, so far, sitting in second place in the Vanarama National League South table with 13 wins, three draws and two defeats from their 18 games played.
They come into the cup tie off the back of a 3-0 midweek victory away at Chippenham Town and have suffered just one defeat in their last five, against the league-leaders Ebbsfleet United.
LAST TIME OUT
The two sides shared a 2-2 draw at Park View Road back in September. An exciting, end-to-end game saw Ade Azeez put the Wings in front before the half-hour mark, but a Jamie Sendles-White own-goal cancelled it out six minutes later.
Welling responded by regaining their lead in the 39th minute courtesy of Taylor Maloney and it looked as if the hosts would be set to end the Hawks’ unbeaten record when Billy Clifford’s red card reduced the visitors to 10 men.
But Jason Prior’s header three minutes from time denied the Wings all three points.
PRE-MATCH CHAT
Warren Feeney: “It’s a great cup tie. They’re one of the best teams in this league, they’re there on merit because they’re a good club with good people.
“It’ll be a tough game, but it’ll be one that we’ll enjoy. We had a great game for the neutral when we played in the league and both sides will be wanting to get into the next round, so we’ll go into the game with confidence.”
Havant & Waterlooville boss, Paul Doswell: “It will be a tough game, but we’re a dangerous team away from home. We probably keep more shape then we do when we’re at home and we’re dangerous on the counter, but you’ve got to win those battles and compete.”
REF WATCH
Aaron Farmer will be the man in the middle on Saturday afternoon, in what will be his 14th senior game refereeing this season.
He last took charge of a Wings fixture for the 4-0 defeat at Dorking Wanderers in April.
Farmer will be assisted by Bradley Mingay and Paul Burnham.
TICKETS
Tickets for the FA Trophy clash with Havant & Waterlooville are available to purchase online and in advance and supporters are encouraged to do so to avoid congestion at the turnstiles on match day.
Tickets for the game are priced £15 adults, £10 concessions and students and £7 for U16s, while U11s go FREE when accompanied by an adult.
Click here to get your tickets for Welling United v Havant & Waterlooville
