Sitting second in the Isthmian League Premier Division, Welling United play a second consecutive home match when they entertain Carshalton Athletic with a chance of returning to the top of the table.

They would have gone top on Tuesday when they beat Leatherhead, but Enfield Town were also victorious when beating Chatham Town and remain one point ahead of the Wings.

Their match with Leatherhead was probably more tense than it should have been. Chris Harris scored his first goal for the Wings in the ninth minute and they could easily have been two or even three up by half time. After the break the Tanners enjoyed more of the game but were unable to break down the determined defence and Welling had the better chances on the counter attack. That was until the final minute of stoppage time when goalkeeper Mackenzie Foley was called upon to make an outstanding save.

Meanwhile, Carshalton were in Surrey Senior Cup action, when a young side lost five-nil at Knaphill. Their last league game was seven days earlier when they were beaten four-two at Wingate and Finchley. They went behind in the sixth minute but equalised through Jacob Safa two minutes before half time. They couldn’t hold on until the break, though, as former Wing, Anointed Chukwu put the hosts back ahead in first half stoppage time.

Seven minutes after the restart another ex-Welling player, Ashley Nzala scored for Wingate. Fabio Saraiva pulled one back with twenty minutes remaining, but they conceded a fourth three minutes from time. Including the Surrey Cup game and last Saturday’s FA Trophy defeat at Aveley, Carshalton have now gone seven games without a win so will want to end that run. 

When the two teams met at Park View Road last season, Welling had to come from behind to win. Luke Read put the Robins ahead in the ninth minute but John Ufuah levelled twelve minutes later and Dean Gunner scored what proved to be the winner just before half time. 

Nathan Cooper and Kevin Rivera were absent on Tuesday but will be back on Saturday so, other than defender Louis Ramsay, everyone should be available for selection and manager Ryan Maxwell will have some tough decisions to make. At present, Welling have the best home league record of any team from steps one to four and they will be looking to add to their eight wins from eight matches so far. 

Picture supplied by Steve Blunn.