MATCH PREVIEW: WELLING UTD (H)

Boreham Wood v Welling United
Saturday 14 October 2023, 3.00pm
Mangata Pay UK Stadium, FA Cup 4^th qualifying round

PREVIEW

It’s a return to Emirates FA Cup action for Luke Garrard and his side. On the back of another impressive run in the competition last year reaching the third round for the third consecutive year. However, tomorrow will offer a different test as we welcome Welling United a side one division below the Wood who will arrive at the Mangata Pay UK Stadium Meadow Park as the underdog.

The Wings haven’t started well in the league currently sitting in 22^nd out of 24, and they are without a win in their last 5 league fixtures, however their FA Cup form has been very positive.

THE WINGS JOURNEY TO THE 4TH QUALIFYING ROUND

16th September 2023
Dartford 2-3 Welling United
Princes Park, FA Cup 2nd qualifying round

Welling United claimed their place in the third qualifying round of the Emirates FA Cup thanks to an Antony Papadopoulos’ hat-trick in a 3-2 win over Dartford at Princes Park in a local derby. After going into the break at 1-1 Dartford scored the next goal meaning the Wings had to come back from 2-1 to secure their place in the next round.

30th September 2023
Gosport Borough 2-2 Welling United
Privett Park, FA Cup 3rd qualifying round

After a first-half in which the Wings looked fairly comfortable, taking a one-goal lead into the break via Kain Adom’s strike, the game was turned on its head early in the second half when the visitors were reduced to 10 men and the hosts got themselves 2-1 ahead. But Abrahams’ strike seven minutes into injury-time saw a huge sigh of relief for the Wings, who earned themselves a replay.

4th October 2023
Welling United 4-2 Gosport Borough
J Hearnden Skip Hire Community Stadium, FA Cup 3rd qualifying round replay

Despite falling behind, Danny Bloor’s men soon took control of the first half, netting through Tristan Abrahams and Crossley Lema’s brace. The visitors gave the home side something to think about when they pulled a goal back early after the restart, but a Gosport red card, followed by a second Abrahams strike, ensured that the Wings would set a date with Boreham Wood.

ONES TO WATCH?

Tristan Abrahams:
The 24-year-old is a product of Leyton Orient’s academy and broke through to the first team as a teenager at Brisbane Road, making 10 League Two appearances in his maiden season, scoring twice, as well as finding the net against Newcastle United in the EFL Cup, while also enjoying a loan stint with Cambridge United. Last season the striker enjoyed a successful first half of the campaign in the National League with Eastleigh, catching the attention of Gillingham who made him a deadline-day signing in January, making 12 appearances for the Gills. In total, he has made 164 appearances in the EFL, scoring 25 league goals. He is currently in good form scoring four goals in his last five games for the Wings.