Welling United will be looking to book a place in the quarter-finals of the Isuzu FA Trophy as they host Barnet at the J Hearnden Skip Hire Community Stadium on Saturday (3pm).
The Wings’ journey to the last 16 has seen them see off Taunton Town and Brackley Town, both on penalties in DA16, before beating Chesterfield 2-0 in the fourth round, also on home turf.
Whilst Welling’s main aim this season will be to avoid the drop, this weekend’s cup tie provides a welcome distraction with a potential route to Wembley just three games away.
Boss Rod Stringer will, however, faces somewhat of a headache in terms of his squad, with Joe Ellul, Will Wood and Mbunya Alemanji cup-tied, while Dominic Odusanya and Tristan Abrahams are suspended.
The Wings will have to check on the fitness of TJ Bramble ahead of the weekend, while Chiori Johnson also remains a doubt.
THE OPPOSITION
Barnet are enjoying a successful season at the right end of the National League table, currently sitting in third place, two points behind Bromley in second, but a substantial 24 points behind leaders Chesterfield.
The Bees come into the game without a win in their last three outings, however, sharing a 1-1 draw with Wealdstone last weekend, following back-to-back defeats to Gateshead and Oldham Athletic.
Their route to the fifth round of the FA Trophy has seen them beat Maidstone United 4-0 at home and Northern Premier League side Radcliffe 2-1 away.
PRE-MATCH CHAT
Rod Stringer: “It will have been a tough game even with a full squad, let alone when there are certain situations which go against us with players cup-tied, suspended and injured.
“They’re a good side who are going for a potential promotion. It’s a big game for us and it will be a big game for them. We just have to give what we can and give a good account of ourselves.
“Football is a funny old game. We saw Maidstone beat Ipswich the other week, so anything can happen.”
TICKETS
Tickets for the clash against the Bees are available to purchase online in advance and will also be available for cash and card at the turnstiles on the evening of the match priced £15 adults, £10 concessions and students and £5 U16s, while U11s go free with an accompanying adult.
Get your tickets for the Wings v Barnet
OTHER INFO
Turnstiles will open at 1.30pm with the Wings Bar and upstairs bar open for all supporters.
Hot food will be available from the burger outlet on the right-hand side as you enter the ground.
Meanwhile, the Travis Perkins bar will be open for teas, coffees, cold drinks, snacks and pies.
The club’s official matchday programme, ‘The Wings’, will be available to purchase inside the ground for £3.
