Now that their FA Cup run is over Welling United can return to league action and picking up the points they need to start easing their way up the National League South table.

However, they have a tough task ahead of them when visiting Torquay United. The Seagulls have not started as well as they may have liked but the pre-season favourites for the championship are in the play-off places, just four points behind leaders Yeovil Town.

Their cup also ended last week when beaten two-nil at home to Maidstone United, a week after having lost in the league at home to the Stones. At home, they have won four and lost two with no draws. Worthing were the other side to leave Plainmoor with all three points having won there three-nil. 

Danny Bloor’s Wings deserved better than losing at National League Boreham Wood last Saturday. They were without James Vaughan with an injury and TJ Bramble on international duty. They then lost Lewis White on the half hour mark and goalkeeper Ben Winterbottom eleven minutes later.

Despite those drawbacks, Welling had the better of the second half and looked good for at least a replay until former Wing Tyrone Marsh scored directly from a free kick with four minutes remaining.

Winterbottom had to go to hospital for treatment following his injury, and if he was diagnosed with concussion, he will have to miss out on the trip on Saturday. Bloor will have to decide whether to give teenage Javarn Pitterson his league debut or persuade the board to allow him to bring in a goalkeeper on a short term loan.

It’s nearly five years since Welling last played Torquay away. In December 2018, when Steve King was Welling manager, they were beaten three-one. Jake Andrews put the Gulls ahead in the third minute and Saikou Janneh made it two twelve minutes later. Jean-Yves Niate extended their lead nine minutes into the second half. Although Bradley Goldberg pulled one back from the spot on the hour mark but that proved to be no more than a consolation.

Gary Johnson was Torquay manager that day, and still is. The only player still remaining from either side is the Gulls’ Asa Hall.

Although Welling will go in as underdogs, and despite their five match unbeaten run coming to an end last Saturday, they will not be daunted by the challenge and will be keen to start on their next run.

Picture supplied by Dave Budden.