It has been a mixed start to the start of the new Isthmian League Premier Division campaign for Welling United. 

Last Saturday they remained patient to defeat Whitehawk two-nil at their Anthony Martin stadium. Then, on Tuesday, they travelled to newly promoted Leatherhead and conceded four times in the first half. They improved in the second period and John Ufuah scored a late consolation goal.

They now face another newly promoted team in Stanway Rovers. The Essex team have won a single point from their two games. They drew nil-nil at Cheshunt on Saturday before hosting Ramsgate on Tuesday evening. Callum Jones scored a brace to give the Rams a two goal lead before substitute Alfie Cutbush gave the hosts hope by pulling one back with twelve minutes remaining. Five minutes later Solomon Ogunwomoju restored Ramsgate’s two goal lead and they saw the match out without further alarm.

Ryan Maxwell used the same sixteen players for both games that Welling have played and some of the substitutes may have made a good enough impact on Tuesday to have earned a start on Saturday. He will still be without Lekan Majoyegbe who will finish his three match suspension. Troy Howard and Louis Ramsay will also be absent through injury.

This will be the first meeting between the two sides so there is no head-to-head to check as a form guide but Maxwell will have looked at opposition videos and will have spoken to contacts who have seen them play as part of his preparation, and he will be looking for a strong positive reaction following the events on Tuesday evening.