On Saturday Welling United commence this season’s Vanarama National League South campaign with the long trip to Truro City.

It has been a difficult pre season campaign for the Wings who have spent their second consecutive summer rebuilding. Last term, they got through four different managers and will now be looking for stability.

New player manager Jamie Coyle has retained just four of last season’s squad. Sean Francis, Archie Johnson, Pierre Joseph-Dubois and Chris Lewington are the only survivors although he was quick to add Christian Nanetti who left the club in the early part of spring for Cork City.

Other players do know the club though as several have returned. Coyle, himself, had a season at Park View Road, player coach Jack Parkinson, Ben Jefford, Ian Gayle and Joe Healy have all come back, the latter for his fourth spell.

Travelling so far for the first game of the season is not ideal for supporters who want to make a weekend of it as accommodation and fares are at a premium in school holiday. However it can be a good thing for the team as they will have an opportunity to bond. Also, there is very little likelihood of the game being called off with a return required midweek at another time in the season.

Despite the difficulties, there should be a decent Welling following in Cornwall hoping to cheer the team to success.

When the two teams met in Cornwall last season, this time in the August Bank Holiday, Welling claimed a creditable draw. The first half was goal-less but six minutes after the break Cody Cooke put the hosts ahead.

Seventeen minutes later the Wings equalised when Lyle Della-Verde crossed, Dan Walker knocked it back in and Harry Crawford ghosted in to finish.

Lewington made a spectacular from Ben Adelsbury’s deflected shot but Welling deserved their point.

Picture supplied by Dave Budden.