Non-League Boxing Day traditions are for local derbies and there are not too many miles between Dartford and Welling.
Last season the Darts enjoyed festive games with Ebbsfleet whilst the Wings had to make do with Boxing Day/New Years Day fixtures with AFC Hornchurch. Relegation for Ebbsfleet and promotion for Welling changed all that.
This will be the first meeting between the clubs since they met in the play-off decider in May 2012, a match that the Darts won 1-0 to gain promotion.
Last season, Dartford took well to the step up and finished with only seven full time clubs ahead of them. Meanwhile, Welling made a few changes to their personnel and once they had recovered from a slow start, went on to claim the Blue Square South Championship.
There will still be players on the field with memories (some good, some bad) from the play-off game.
Lee Burns, Elliott Bradbrook, Lee Noble (who scored the only goal that day) and Danny Harris all started for the Darts in their 2-1 defeat at Alfreton on Saturday but Noble’s dismissal means he will miss both derbies. Ryan Hayes was a non playing substitute that day but has not played since 12th November due to injury.
Lee Clarke, Luis Cumbers and Joe Healy started for Welling in the play-off decider and also played in the 1-1 draw with Wrexham on Saturday. Jamie Day may select himself should Jake Gallagher not recover from the injury sustained on Saturday whilst second choice goalkeeper Jamie Turner was on the bench both in the play-offs and on Saturday.
Loui Fazakerley and Jack Obersteller are still at Welling and Loick Pires has returned after a season with Woking, but all three have been out injured throughout December.
Both teams will be eager to collect maximum points. Bottom but one, Dartford have lost nine league games in a row and have now seen Connor Essam and Matt Godden return to their parent clubs.
Meanwhile, Welling are winless in five, although three of them were draws, and are nestling in 12th place.
A large crowd is anticipated at Dartford’s Princes Park and those intending to attend should be warned that the game kicks off at 12:30!