League leaders Welling United play a second consecutive Isthmian League Premier Division away game with a visit to Eastbourne Borough.

On Tuesday evening Welling claimed their second one-nil victory in a row when they visited Maldon and Tiptree. That win was their eighth win in ten league matches and, incredibly, they recorded their seventh clean sheet if the season. 

Whilst their win on Saturday against AFC Whyteleafe was reasonably straight-forward, their match at Maldon was less so and they were indebted to goalkeeper Philip Agayi for making a couple of outstanding saves.

After a fairly slow start, Eastbourne have hit their straps and have won their last seven league, FA Cup, and FA Trophy matches. One time Welling manager, Steve King, is in charge of his home town club and they claimed a stunning four-nil win at Carshalton Athletic on Monday.

Terrell Egbri and Josh Rees both converted first half penalties. Then, in the second period, an own goal and a one from Rees in open play rounded off the scoring.

There was no meeting between the two clubs last season as they were in different divisions and the last time that Welling visited Langney was on Guy Fawkes Night in 2024. Anointed Chukwu put the Wings ahead in the first minute and they went in at half time one-nil ahead.

Five minutes into the second period the game changed when Welling goalkeeper Jordan Gillmore punched a corner into his own net. Three minutes later, Michael Klass put the Sports ahead and George Alexander’s brace in the last sixteen minutes ensured the hosts completed a comfortable win.

Since Tuesday night, Ryan Maxwell has added striker Chris Harris to his squad. He is known to Maxwell having scored eighteen goals in thirty-one games at Sittingbourne when the current Welling manager was in the hot seat there two seasons ago.

Mackenzie Foley and Louis Ramsay will be absent through injury but the rest of the squad should be available for selection.

Picture supplied by Steve Blunn.