It’s derby day on Saturday when Welling United host Dartford in the Vanarama National League South.

Having lost their last two matches, Dartford have relinquished top spot in the table and are six points behind Ebbsfleet United and have played a match more. Last Saturday, they visited Worthing and were two down inside eleven minutes.

Any hopes of a recovery were ended when they conceded again nine minutes into the second half.

On the same day Welling were at Chelmsford City and returned with a one nil win. Chances were few and far between at both ends and once the Wings went ahead through a Taylor Maloney penalty, they rarely looked like conceding. Goalkeeper Myles Roberts was only called upon to make one real save deep into injury time.

It will be the second meeting between the two teams this season after the two clubs met at Princes Park in November. The Darts won convincingly that day. Pierre Fonkeu put them ahead in the eleventh minute. Davide Rodari and Maxwell Statham added further goals to make it three-nil by half time.

Ade Azeez pulled one back against his former club eight minutes after the break but Jack Smith and Luke Coulson scored further goals to ensure a comfortable victory. Statham was also playing against the team that he represented last season in that match. Other former Wings at Dartford, but who didn’t play that day, are Kristian Campbell, Charlie Sheringham and Dan Wilkes.

Warren Feeney, the Welling manager, has again dipped into the loan market and brought in George Alexander from Bromley.

Dartford boss, Alan Dowson, will need to make at least one change to his starting line up as Alex Wall was dismissed at Worthing and starts his three match ban on Saturday.

In the corresponding game at Park View Road last season, Dartford hit Welling for six. Noor Husin put them ahead in the first minute then Azeez and Danny Leonard made it three before half time.

Luke Allen scored a second half brace and Azeez scored again in a totally one sided match.

Coming into the game, Dartford have a one hundred percent league record against clubs from Kent and South East London, including a festive season double against Ebbsfleet, while Welling’s home record is inferior to their away form, therefore the guide would suggest an away win.

However, derby games don’t always go as expected and Feeney may look at this as a free hit so Welling should come into the game with no fear.

Picture supplied by Dave Budden.