The Clarets are set to take on regular foes Welling United as they continue their Vanarama National League South campaign at the Melbourne Community Stadium on Saturday, 28th January (KO 3pm).
The Opposition
Welling sit in 14th place having played 25 games in the National League South this season. They have won 8, drawn 8, and lost 9, scoring 35 goals and conceding 41 in the league campaign so far which all adds up to 32 league points.
Welling have had an inconsistent league campaign with them sitting squarely in mid-table; ten points off the playoffs and nine points above the relegation zone. Welling had a good start to the season with only two defeats until October, including an unbeaten September, but suffered some heavy defeats in the autumn and have struggled to find consistency since, but are a very dangerous team on their day with an experienced squad.
In terms of players, Welling have rotated between former Concord Rangers ‘keeper Myles Roberts and former Clarets-loanee Kai McKenzie-Lyle between the sticks. In defence they have former Leyton Orient, Swindon Town and Crawley Town centre-half Jamie Sendles-White, who forms a powerful back two with Manny Parry. Also in defence they have former Colchester full-back Aaron Barnes and also former Southend United defender Rob Howard, who will return to a place he knows well having been born in Chelmsford and attended school in the city. Full-back Aaron Powell has also extended his loan deal from Peterborough United.
In midfield they have tough-tackling former Exeter City & Cambridge United man James Dunne, as well as talented former Charlton Athletic youngster Taylor Maloney, who has notched 7 league goals this season, including a consolation against the Clarets in the reverse fixture in August. They have also experienced winger Medy Elito, who started off at Colchester United, going on to appear for Dagenham & Redbridge, Newport County and Cambridge amongst others.
Up front they have Ade Azeez, who has scored 11 league goals this season as well as Charlton loanee Dylan Gavin who has appeared against the Clarets for Billericay Town and Tonbridge Angels in previous loan spells. Experienced striker Stefan Payne is also in their ranks, who has not appeared since Boxing Day for the Wings, but could be in line for a return for the trip to Essex.
The Wings boss is Warren Feeney. Feeney, 42, won 46 caps for Northern Ireland as a player and played for Bournemouth, Stockport County, Luton Town, and Plymouth Argyle in a nomadic league career. After managing Linfield with success in his home country, he had a brief spell in charge at Newport. He achieved honours by winning the Bulgarian Second Division with Pirin Blagoevgrad in 2021, but left the following season. He joined Welling in March last year, saving them from the drop last campaign.
Previous Meetings
A Simeon Jackson double helped City to a 2-1 win away at Welling in August 2022. Jacob Marsden also saved a penalty from Stefan Payne to help the Clarets to victory.
The game last season at Melbourne was a nervy 0-0 draw with both sides at the wrong end of the table and the spoils have been shared between the two sides the last 3 matches in Essex, with two matches being goalless and the other being 1-1 with Shaun Jeffers’ last-minute equaliser grabbing a point for City in 2019.
The last time City won at Melbourne against Welling was in December 2017 with a comfortable 4-1 win, with Scott Davies, Luke Daley, Kudus Oyenuga and Chris Dickson scoring for the Clarets. The Wings haven’t won at Melbourne since 2012 when Jamie Day’s side won 3-2. Craig Calver put City 1 up, with Ross Lafayette, Luis Cumbers and Fraser Franks scored for Welling. Craig Parker’s goal back in injury time was not enough for Chelmsford to get anything out of the game.
Team News
City have had a rare week off due to the Slough Town postponement, so some players have had time to rest minor niggles. Cameron James and Jamie Yila both could feature after being unavailable against Weymouth due to injury, whilst Liam Trotter has also missed the last two games with a muscular injury so will be assessed. On-loan Chelsea keeper Eddie Beach is set to make his home debut for the Clarets.
Ticket News
Tickets are now available to be purchased in advance of the 15:00pm kick-off on Saturday, 28th January and can be bought by clicking this link.
Adult – £13
Senior (65+) – £9
Concession – £9
Full-Time Student – £5
Youth (12-17) – £5
Under-12s – Free
Entry can also be purchased at the turnstiles on the day at the Melbourne Community Stadium.
Ticket prices on the day:
Adult – £15
Senior (65+) – £10
Concession – £10
Full-Time Student – £5
Youth (12-17) – £5
Under-12s – Free
A programme will be available to purchase on the day for £3 or a digital subscription to The Claret can be purchased here.
Where to follow the game…
The Club will be providing coverage of the game on Twitter (@OfficialClarets) using the hashtag #TheClarets.
There will also be live audio commentary from Radio Clarets.
Post-match reports and interviews will be found on the club website, social media and ClaretsTV following the game.
Weather
It set to be a chilly and grey afternoon with 6 degrees expected at kick-off.
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