Following their F.A. Cup exploits last weekend, Welling United return to Vanarama National League South football with a trip to Eastbourne Borough.

In recent league matches, Welling have played well but have struggled to score goals and have been punished. However, manager Danny Bloor unveiled new signing Tristan Abrahams for the Dartford cup match and he made a big difference. Antony Papadopoulos scored a hat-trick to help Welling progress while Abrahams’ leading of the line caught the eye.

While Welling were winning at Dartford, Eastbourne were also involved in a local derby F.A. Cup match against a team from their own league, and they didn’t fare as well. They went down one-nil at home to Worthing.

Their league form hasn’t been as good as they would have liked under their new regime but, like Welling, they are a relatively new and evolving team. So far this season they have won three, drawn one, and lost five. They sit three points ahead of Welling currently. At home they have won two and lost two with victories over Hampton and Richmond Borough and Weston-super-Mare. Their defeats were at the hands of Bath City and Truro City.

When the two teams met at Priory Lane last season, Welling claimed a smash and grab one-nil win. Stefan Payne scored the only goal two minutes shy of the hour mark and they managed to see the match out from there.

Mitchell Dickenson and James Vaughan were in the Sports team that evening but are now at Welling. Vaughan is expected to wear the captain’s armband on Saturday but Dickenson may still not be ready for selection following injury. However, he did play forty-five minutes in a friendly at Billericay Town on Tuesday and is getting closer.

Bloor was manager of the Sports last season, but was eased out in the summer and is now in charge at Welling. It will be a big day for him but he played it down saying. “It’s another three points. Going back to my previous club, you won’t get double.

“It’s a game I’m looking forward to. It saves me driving too far, but it’s just another three points. They’ve got expectations to be getting promoted, and winning leagues etcetera. We go there as underdogs, but the underdogs sometimes win.”

Images courtesy of Dave Budden