Taking a break from league action Erith and Belvedere host Welling Town in the first round of the Go Cardless Kent Senior Trophy.

At present, the Deres lead the Southern Counties East Football League with twenty-four points from fourteen games. However, a one-nil home defeat to unbeaten Rusthall on Tuesday evening has left the door open for the chasing pack. Charlie Clover scored the only goal two minutes into the second half.

Kevin Oakes’ Welling Town ply their trade in the division below. Their last game was at home to free scoring Rochester United and the visitors kept up their one hundred percent record with a five-nil victory. Jack Nelson, who is being monitored by clubs from higher up the pyramid, notched another hat-trick. That took his tally to fifteen goals in his last eight games.

Just one place separates the Boots from the bottom three as they have seven points from nine games having won two and drawn one. Oakes won’t be too worried yet as the league table is so convoluted that one more win could take them up to tenth place.

In a strange quirk of fate, Erith and Belvedere host their home matches in Welling, while Welling Town’s home games are played in Erith. Sam Groombridge may choose to give some of the Deres’ fringe players game time while the Boots may look upon the tie as a ‘free hit’ as the odds will be heavily stacked against them.