Now that the pre-season friendlies are done, the Anthony Martin Stadium hosts an Isthmian League Premier Division curtain raiser when Welling United entertain Whitehawk.

Last season was a tumultuous one for the Wings with a second relegation looking almost certain for the majority of the season. However, a brilliant run of results, which had them in second place in the form guide, took them up to fifteenth place, six points clear of the drop zone. 

Unsurprisingly, Ryan Maxwell has retained the core of the squad that finished the season while bringing in newcomers to strengthen the squad. There is now competition for all outfield places and plenty of cover for absentees, whether injured or suspended.

Maxwell said that part of his selection would be based on the opposition. “You look at who you’re playing against.” he confirmed. “It’s horses for courses. When you’ve got a squad with the strength that we have, some players will suit this game better than others. Everything’s in the preparation. We’ve prepared well. We’re ready to go but we’ll never take our eye off the ball.”  

When the two teams met at Park View Road last March, the Wings were made to work hard for their two-one win despite playing against ten men for over an hour. Lekan Majoyegbe gave Welling a dream start when heading home Lewis Gard’s free kick in the third minute. Taufee Skandari was cautioned for making the foul on John Ufuah and when he repeated the trick in the twenty-fifth minute, he was shown a second yellow and a red.

However, six minutes into the second half the Hawks levelled when Harry Lodovica stabbed it home after Welling failed to clear a corner. Noah Stewart was then introduced as a substitute for his Wings debut and within seven minutes he had put the Wings back ahead when getting on the end of Troy Howard’s overhead cross. Whitehawk were reduced to long range shots and didn’t threaten again.

Howard and Majoyegbe will miss out. Stefan Wright, who played for Whitehawk in the last meeting, is on dual registration at Erith and Belvedere. However, they are playing in the FA Cup this weekend so Maxwell may not want him cup-tied. Everyone else in the squad should be available and Welling supporters will enjoy getting their first look at the new look Wings.

Picture supplied by Chris Zimmerman.