After last week’s deserved point at Vanarama National League South leaders Dartford, Welling United’s next game is at second placed Dorking Wanderers.  

Despite picking up that point, the Wings are still bottom of the league with just one win from twelve games. However, this will be just the second game under Steve Lovell as he looks to turn the season around.

It won’t be easy though. Dorking are only one point behind Dartford with three games in hand and will fancy their chances having won five and drawn two of their nine home games so far this season.

Their most recent outing was last Saturday when they won three-one at Hemel Hempstead Town. They were three-nil up four minutes into the second half with, Jason Prior scoring a brace, and the Tudors’ goal with fifteen minutes remaining was only a consolation.

Lovell’s team won’t be short of confidence after their performance at Dartford. They were good value for their half time lead through Lyle Della-Verde’s goal and Dipo Akinyemi made it two from the penalty spot immediately after half time. Had Anthony Cook’s lob cleared Dan Wilks, a three goal lead might have been too much for Dartford..

However, Dartford came back strongly and after Luke Allen and Jacob Berkeley-Agyepong had scored two in five minutes, Welling had to dig deep. They were put under pressure for ten minutes but stood their ground and looked dangerous themselves in the latter stages.

The Wings were due to host Braintree Town on Tuesday but suffered yet another postponement as the winter conditions put paid to that. They have played just four home games this season and even the game at Dorking has been rearranged. They were due to visit Chippenham Town but the Wiltshire club are amongst those that are not playing until they know whether the season will be discontinued.

Two of Welling’s players loans expired this week but the club has agreed an extension of a month each for Millwall’s Rob Strachan and Rhys Murrell-Williamson from Cray Wanderers.

Last season’s corresponding game was a straight-forward home win for Dorking. Jimmy Muitt scored mid-way through the first half and Jack Barham scored from close range just shy of the hour mark.