Two teams who were two leagues apart last season meet on Tuesday evening for the second time this season when Ramsgate host Welling United in an Isthmian League Premier Division match.

Although the Rams got off to a slow start to the season following their promotion from the Isthmian League South East, and they haven’t performed well in cup competitions, they have now gone six games unbeaten in the league.

On Saturday, they hosted Wingate and Finchley and had to come from behind to claim a one all draw, courtesy of a goal by Mitchell May.

Meanwhile, Welling, who have had a disappointing start to Isthmian League football, had a free Saturday. Their scheduled opponents, Folkestone Invicta, were in FA Cup action which meant that Rod Stringer, their interim manager, had some time on the training pitch to get to know the players that he has inherited.

Tuesday’s game at Ramsgate will be Stringer’s first league game since returning to the dug-out to replace Lee Martin, although he has overseen a three-nil FA Trophy victory at Royston Town, and a three-two Kent Senior Cup defeat at VCD Athletic.

When Welling hosted Ramsgate three weeks ago, the visitors won comfortably, albeit not without some controversy. May had already put the Rams ahead when Ruben Shakpoke was dismissed incorrectly. Although the red card was rescinded subsequently, and he did not have to serve a suspension, the Wings did have to play for over an hour with ten men.

Alfie Paxman put Ramsgate two-up ten minutes before half time and Donvieve Jones added a third ten minutes after the restart. Although Greg Cundle pulled one back for Welling, Joe Taylor’s goal ensured that the visitors were able to close the game out comfortably.

Image courtesy of Keith Gillard