Although delayed, Welling United start 2026 with a home game against Wingate and Finchley in an Isthmian League Premier Division encounter.

Last weekend, the Wings were due to visit Cray Valley PM aiming to return to winning ways after back-to-back defeats, however, their hopes were dashed when the game was postponed due to an area of the pitch being frozen.

When they last played they crashed to a four-one loss at home to Brentwood Town with Bradley Sach their goalscorer. Although the scoreline was very harsh, it left them in penultimate place in the table, nine points adrift of safety.

It has been an up and down season for Wingate and Finchley so far. After finding themselves in the bottom four earlier in the season, they pulled themselves up the table, but have had a dip in form with three defeats in a row. They are now win-less in seven league matches. Like Welling, they suffered a postponement last Saturday. Their last outing ended in a two-nil loss at St. Albans City after going in level at the break. 

Away from home they have won five (including a five-nil victory at Brentwood Town), drawn three, and lost five.

Ryan Maxwell had been hoping to unveil three new signings against the Millers and they will be available to make their debuts against the Blues. Attacking midfielder Ayman El-Mogharbel was at Sittingbourne with Maxwell last season and has represented Cray Wanderers this term. Striker Ade Azeez is in his second spell with the Wings. He also finished last season at Sittingbourne before spending the first half of this campaign at Hemel Hempstead Town.

Finally, goalkeeper Mackenzie Foley has signed to replace Roraigh Browne whose loan expired. After winning the treble with Erith Town, Foley spent last season at Carshalton Athletic and has been at Tonbridge Angels and Worthing this term.

Club captain, Jack Paxman, will not be available due to suspension, however, Maxwell will hope to have the rest of the squad from which to select, as he looks to start a run to move his team up the league table.

Picture supplied by Keith Gillard.