For the second time in three days, Welling United will enjoy the pleasures of the Dartford Tunnel in an Isthmian League Premier match.

On Saturday, the Wings visited Canvey Island ahead of a Monday night encounter at Aveley. Part one of the back-to-back to back Essex away games ended well for Welling as they returned with a three-one win. An uninspiring first half looked likely to finish goal-less until Troy Howard pounced on a header out of defence and fired a twenty yard shot into the bottom corner.

They then suffered a setback when the Islanders levelled just before the hour mark and Welling goalkeeper Mackenzie Foley was twice called upon to make important interventions. However, with twelve minutes remaining, Welling went back ahead through a Jamie Reynolds shot that took two deflections then Ade Azeez claimed a third when John Ufuah’s driven cross was diverted home. He might have added a fourth in stoppage time but his lob came back out off the crossbar.

Meanwhile, Aveley travelled to Dartford’s Princes Park unbeaten away from home, and having gone sixteen home and away league matches without defeat. Those runs were ended in a two-nil defeat. Denzel Olopade put the Darts ahead in the ninth minute and Joe Tennent scored the second ten minutes before the end, five minutes after the visitors’ Harry Critchley was sent off. Although he faces a three match ban, the suspension won’t kick in until after the Welling visit.

Back in August, the two teams met at Park View Road and the match ended in chaos when it was abandoned in the seventh minute of stoppage time due to a floodlight failure. The visitors were one-nil up at the time through an Ollie Peters penalty and, after the Isthmian League committee had deliberated, the result was allowed to stand.

When Welling visited Aveley last season, the points were shared in a one-all draw. Although the Millers’ Josh Anifowose was dismissed ten minutes before half time, they went ahead on the hour mark through David Kawa. Two minutes remained when substitute Elliot Long equalised. Ultimately, the point that each side won was no good to either as both clubs were relegated from the National League South.

After two matches with the same starting eleven and substitutes, Welling manager Ryan Maxwell may be forced to make changes as there may not be sufficient time for players to recover from knocks and strains picked up on Canvey Island. However, he has full confidence in the players who are likely to come in and will be hoping that the club returns over the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge with another three points. 

Picture supplied by Olly Groome.