Next Match – Welling United – Away

City travel to Welling United on Saturday on the fringe of the play-off places knowing that victory and other results going their way will elevate them to seventh position.

For what will be their fifth and final scheduled trip to Kent, they will be aiming to build on a fine recent away record which has seen thirteen points won out of a possible fifteen.

In contrast, the Wings are suffering a poor second half to the season and while they presently sit three places above the relegation zone, they are only five points better off than Cheshunt in 21st position.

And with a tough looking April on the horizon against title and play-off contenders, they really need to pick up points before then against some other threatened sides.

However a defeat at Weymouth on Saturday was followed by the same at home to Taunton on Tuesday to really put pressure on the Wings.

If relegation is averted it will probably be down to the points gained away from Park View Road as there have only been four home wins this season for Warren Feeney’s team with just one coming in the last eleven appearances in front of their own fans.

These problems would not have been anticipated back in early December when Welling travelled to Twerton for a match changed to a Friday evening to avoid a possible clash the next day with an England World Cup match.

A crowd of only 774 was present to see loanee Callum Ebanks’ solitary goal for the Club cancelled out by Taylor Maloney’s late equaliser.

There was the same 1-1 scoreline on our last visit to Park View Road twelve months ago with Cody Cooke’s strike being levelled following the referee ignoring Jack Batten’s head injury in the build up to the home side’s equaliser.

Although City had a very poor record at the ground during the decade prior to our promotion to the National League, since our return we have seen an upturn in fortunes with three wins and two draws from our seven visits.

In fact we have been visiting Park View Road since 1964 when it was the home of now defunct Bexley United.

There were some memorable matches with Welling after they took over the ground, with City scoring six, five and five again in three visits during the early 1990s!

The ground is on the busy High Street with passengers on the top deck of passing buses having a fine view of the match!

Like Twerton Park, it is a traditional ground with an ancient stand and substantial terracing behind both goals although the top end is presently closed for safety reasons.

One new feature for visiting City supporters is a cover at the opposite end.

Welling share Park View Road with Erith & Belvedere FC, whose modern, well-appointed stand is on the opposite side to Welling’s.

It is sometimes possible on a matchday to visit the Deres’ comfortable clubhouse as well as Welling’s, a rarity in football.

As Saturday is Non-League Day, Welling have slashed their prices by £5 – full details can be found here.

If it is a fine day, a pleasant walk can be had in neighbouring Danson Park, but City supporters are more likely to be attracted by the large number of pubs within walking distance of the ground.

A little further afield, and requiring a short bus ride, is the Robin Hood & Little John, a rival to the Mermaid at St Albans as the ‘best pub in the league’!

The 160 mile road journey from Bath will take around three-and-a-half hours, although insufficient interest means that there will be no Supporters Club coach running to this match.

The train trip from Bath Spa will take a little less time, changing at Paddington and Victoria or Charing Cross.

The ground is one mile from Welling station.

For those supporters unable to make the trip there will be full commentary on Bath City Radio.