After starting with a home game against a newly promoted side Welling commence their travels at a club relegated from the football league last season.
On Saturday, AFC Telford United held Welling to a 1-1 draw despite playing the last forty-three minutes with just nine men. Now, the Wings make the long trip to Torquay United in Devon.
No fewer than seven players made their full Welling United league debuts against the Bucks. Defenders Chris Bush, Jamal Fyfield and Ben Jefford, and midfielder Charlie Gorman were joined by Rod Young and two strikers both signed last week.
Tyrone Marsh joined on loan from Oxford United until Christmas Eve, and Afolabi Obafemi put pen to paper having played for the Wings in the pre-season match against Gillingham. He played twenty games for Dagenham and Redbridge last season.
One of last season’s Welling players, Toby Ajala, is now at Torquay United and be hoping to start having made his debut off the bench for the Gulls over the weekend.
It was a difficult start to the season for Chris Hargreaves’ charges who travelled all the way to the North East only to be beaten comprehensively at Gateshead. The Gulls were two down at the break and conceded a third before Louis Briscoe grabbed a last minute consolation goal.
Jamie Day will be hoping to see his team claim their first win as soon as possible after their difficulties on Saturday. They conceded a poor goal in the first half when Kristian Platt’s free kick went straight through the defensive wall to surprise Lee Butcher.
Even with their numerical supremacy, Welling struggled to break down a stubborn Telford defence. Harry Beautyman curled in a 65th minute equaliser but Jonathan Hedge, in the Bucks goal, was rarely tested.
Although far too early to pay much heed to the Vanarama Conference table, neither side will want to drop further points so the game should be very competitive.
Picture supplied by Dave Budden.