On Saturday afternoon, Welling United are in Vanarama National League South action when they visit Bath City.

Last week, the Wings opened their league campaign with a one-nil win against Aveley who reached the pay-offs last term. A clean sheet and a very early contender for goal of the season by Martell Taylor-Crossdale meant that Rod Stringer’s side got off to an excellent start.

Meanwhile, the Romans went down to an only goal defeat at Boreham Wood, who are back in the league following relegation last April. Former Wing, Tyrone Marsh, scored the only goal with ten minutes remaining. Five potential Bath starters were absent through injury, and another had to be withdrawn during the game. As a result, their manager Gerry Gill may have to utilise his contacts in the loan market to top up his squad.

When the two teams met at Twerton Park last December, the game was one of the Wings’ West Country nightmares. Poor Welling defending midway through the first half gifted Elliott Frear the opportunity to clip it square for an unmarked Scott Wilson to finish.

Hopes of keeping the deficit down to one at half time were dashed in stoppage time when Frear crossed, Tom Smith headed down, and Jordan Thomas scrambled it home.

In the eleventh minute of the second half, Frear was again given the opportunity to cross and Dan Hayfield was completely unmarked when heading home. Three minutes remained when they scored their fourth. Thomas burst into the penalty area and was tripped. Cody Cooke stepped up and scored from the spot.

Only two of the Welling sixteen from that day remain and the Welling management team will have the players prepared for the tough challenge of trying to claim their first victory at Twerton Park since the 2018-19 season.

Images courtesy of Dave Budden