On Saturday afternoon, Welling United are back on the road, travelling to Whitehawk in an Isthmian League Premier Division encounter.

Last Saturday, the Wings ended their run of seven successive league defeats by winning three-one at home to Cheshunt. They then had a midweek Velocity Cup match at Ramsgate which gave Ryan Maxwell the opportunity to look at some fringe players,

Two debutants got their goal campaigns up and running in the league game against Cheshunt. Sonny Black gave the Wings a half time lead but the visitors levelled from a penalty and it appeared that the match was going to end all square. Welling are yet to draw a league game this season and the run continued when Troy Howard celebrated his first game for the Wings with a well taken close range volley two minutes for time. He then turned provider when doing all the hard work before presenting Femi Akinwande with a tap in deep into stoppage time. Although still eight points adrift of safety, the result and overall performance of Maxwell’s side gave the Wings supporters new optimism.

They then played a Velocity Cup game at Ramsgate and, without their cup tied players and others resting minor knocks, they went down three-two. After a goal-less first half, the Rams scored two quick goals to put them on top. Luke Allen headed the Wings back into the game then Jamie Reynolds pulled them back level. The Rams went back ahead soon after and held on to progress to the fifth round.

While Welling were playing their cup match, Whitehawk were in league action at Canvey Island. It is so tight in mid-table that the Brighton based club knew that going into the game, a win could have taken them from thirteenth to eighth if other results went their way. However, they went down two-one. At half time they were one up through a goal by Harry Bridle. Canvey levelled with thirteen minutes remaining and snatched all three points when scoring the winner in stoppage time.

It will be the first meeting between the clubs since April 2018 when Whitehawk avenged a defeat at Welling earlier in the season with a two-one home win. Lloyd Mackin put the Hawks ahead before they were reduced to ten men when Gold Otomayo was dismissed for kicking out at Connor Dymond.

Three minutes into the second half, Welling levelled when Jack Jebb’s deep free kick was cleared out as far as Olumide Durojaiye and he arrowed his shot into the bottom corner. Despite being short-handed Eliot Benyon volleyed home Nassim L’Ghoul’s corner and the hosts held out. The game finished ten aside when Tom Bradbrook was sent off deep into stoppage time.

Plenty has happened in the six and a half years since then, and both sides will be looking forward to renewing their battles which often finished tight, their last five encounters being decided by the odd goal.