Although their FA Cup campaign has ended, Welling United return to knock-out football action when they host Chertsey Town at the Anthony Martin Community Stadium in the FA Trophy.

Both teams have started well in their respective step three leagues. Welling are second in the Isthmian League Premier Division, only behind Enfield Town on goal difference, while Chertsey are fourth in the Southern League Premier South, five points off top of the table Plymouth Parkway. They have won four, drawn two and lost two while the Wings have won six and lost two.

Ryan Maxwell’s Welling team had a bad day in the office last Saturday at Dulwich Hamlet in the FA Cup. They went one down early on but there was little in it until the hosts added a second immediately after half time, After Dulwich made it three, Jamie Reynolds pulled one back. However, former Wing Danny Mills added a fourth and the Wings were well beaten.

There was no similar problem for the Curlews. They were three-nil up against step five AFC Greenwich Borough by half time with one of their goals scored by ex Welling player Lachlan Bird. Although the visitors pulled two back, both scored by Stefan Payne, there was only a minute left when he scored his second, and there was insufficient time to force a replay.

That meant that Chertsey were able to fulfil their league fixture on Tuesday night away to Chichester Town. They went behind in the fourth minute but levelled two minutes into the second half through Luke Robertson. The Curlews went ahead when Bradley Wilson converted from the spot with just under twenty minutes remaining but they had to settle for a point when Chichester scored four minutes later.

Unlike the FA Cup, there are no replays in the Trophy so the tie will have to be settled on the day, even if a penalty shoot out is required.