Following their hard-earned point at Ebbsfleet United, Welling United are again on the road in a Tuesday night Vanarama National League South fixture at Braintree Town.

Both teams have improved dramatically from the last couple of seasons.

When the campaign from two years ago was curtailed due to Covid-19, Welling were bottom of the table but Braintree had a worst points per game ratio.

Last term, both teams struggled for most of the season, but the Iron had a good final few weeks and pulled clear. Welling weren’t confirmed safe until the penultimate game. This time around, both teams are enjoying themselves higher up the table. Braintree are in fifth place whilst Welling are ninth.

On Saturday, Welling became the first team to take a point from league leaders Ebbsfleet this season. They started well and deserved their lead when Yaser Kasim marked his full Welling debut with a clean strike in the twentieth minute.

They still looked like they were in control until Stefan Payne was sent off seven minutes before time. Ebbsfleet then hit the post before Craig Tanner equalised with almost the last kick of the first half.

After the break, Welling defended well and rarely looked like conceding until James Dunne was mysteriously dismissed seven minutes from time. In the tenth minute of stoppage time, Ebbsfleet were awarded a penalty.

Rakish Bingham struck it well but Kai McKenzie-Lyle, also making his league debut, guessed right and made an excellent diving save.

At the same time, Braintree Town were claiming three points at Eastbourne Borough. Defender Baris Altintop put them ahead after ten minutes when a corner was knocked down to him. Greg Luer levelled eleven minutes later, but Altintop repeated the trick in the tenth minute of the second half when another corner was headed on to him.

Warren Feeney’s Wings are still undefeated on the road in the league having won three and drawn three and Braintree are yet to lose at home having won four and drawn two so it could well be another tense encounter.

Picture supplied by Dave Budden.