Maidstone United and Welling United commence their Vanarama National League South campaigns with a behind closed doors Tuesday night Kent derby.

They last met at the Gallagher Stadium in March when the hosts took the honours with a three-one victory.

Neither side scored in the first forty-five minutes but goals from Iffy Allen and Zihni Temelci put the Stones in command.

Anthony Cook gave Welling hope with a late penalty but Ayuk Tarh scored with the last kick of the game to seal the win.

That turned out to be the penultimate weekend of the football season before the country was put into ‘lock-down’.

Both teams started the 2020-21 season on Saturday with away F.A. Cup ties. The Stones had a tricky tie at Hendon and won it with the only goal with fourteen minutes to go when substitute Ibrahim Olutade flicked a low cross into the bottom corner.

It was a different story for Welling, though, as their new look team were humbled two-nil at SCEFL Sheppey United.

Despite their high profile forward line, two defenders scored the Ites’ goals. Jahmal Howlett-Mundle settled their nerves with an eleventh minute tap-in and Danny Devine secured a famous victory for the hosts with a stooping header mid-way through the second half to seal a trip to Eastbourne Borough.

Stones’ manager Hakan Hayrettin and Brad Quinton, the Welling manager, have both been busy in the summer.

Maidstone have added the extra fire power of Scott Rendell and former Wing George Porter and also strengthened in other areas.

For Welling, there has been a major overhaul with only five of last season’s squad remaining so it could be interesting to see how quickly the two sides settle.