Two teams that won their first Isthmian League Premier Division games of the season meet when Welling United travel to Leatherhead.

On Saturday, the Wings persevered to get the victory at home against a very physical Whitehawk team. There were only nine minutes remaining when Chris Arthur’s long range drive went through a crowded penalty area to deceive the Hawks’ goalkeeper. Then, in stoppage time, Nahum Melvin-Lambert added a second following great work by Kaan Bennett.

Meanwhile, Leatherhead started their first campaign following promotion with an excellent win at Ramsgate. Kofi Anokye-Boake put them ahead in the eighth minute and Harry Murphy extended their lead in the first minute of stoppage time. One minute later, Callum Jones pulled one back but the Rams couldn’t find an equaliser in the second period.

After the game with Whitehawk, Welling manager Ryan Maxwell said: “There were a lot of typical first game of the season vibes about it. It was a little bit nervy, a bit more composure needed. (There were) a few chances in the first half to score one or two.”

“I think that we were a little bit careless in the final third. Having said that, I knew that we would be good in the second half as well. We had good subs to bring on and they all made a big impact. One has scored, one has made one and I was really pleased with their immediate impact.”

As well as the players, there is a newcomer who has been recruited to help keep the players sharp. Maxwell confirmed “We’ve added a strength and conditioning coach here, Ryan French, who is going to help with the boys away from the football club.”

Going back to the goals, Maxwell was delighted with both for different reasons. “First half he had an absolute rocket just past the top corner.” purred Maxwell.

“Maybe he was getting his sighter in. If you look at a Chris Arthur goal for Woking, he scored from forty plus yards. You’ll find that on You Tube. He’s always telling us about it. He was an absolute rock today. What a guy. He’s only had half a pre season.”

“You’ve got to give the man the credit that he deserves. He’s played ninety. He’s all muscle. He’s got a lot to carry around but, my God, he’s quick. It’s hard for the big guys to get up to match speed because they’re carrying more muscle but he’s done that through desire.”

Melvin-Lambert scored the second after coming on as a substitute as Noah Stewart did against the same opposition last season, “It was a bit like Noah.” he confirmed.

“He came on as a substitute and scored. He’s followed suit. He scored something like fifteen goals in twenty-five starts for Bishop’s Stortford at the same level as us last season so we know he can do it. He’s not match fit. The best is probably a month away but I felt that he had a part to play today and thankfully he proved me right.”

“It’s always great when two subs combine to score a goal. I gave them a little pep talk at half time. I said ‘I’ll need you to go on, fully focussed, study the opposition and make an impact.”

Maxwell will still be without Lekan Majoyegbe (suspended) and the injured Troy Howard and Louis Ramsay, but such is the strength of the squad that he’ll be putting out a well prepared team looking to record back to back wins.