After returning to league action last weekend Welling United entertain Dulwich Hamlet in the F.A. Trophy on Saturday.

Whilst both sides would probably have preferred to start their campaigns against lower league opposition, they cannot control the draw and will be keen to qualify for the first round.

Last Saturday, Welling played bottom of the league Weston-super-Mare who looked far better than a team at the wrong end of the table.

Steve King’s Wings came out flying and Weston goalkeeper Luke Purnell tipped a Yannis Ambroisine effort onto the bar before making two excellent saves to thwart Nassim L’Ghoul. It came as no surprise when Welling went ahead, although the source of it was a little more unexpected.

David Ijaha collected a short pass from Montel Agyemang and launched an unstoppable shot from twenty yards for his first Welling goal. Tom Llewellyn equalised with Weston’s only shot on target but parity only lasted two minutes before Welling went ahead again with another fantastic goal.

Danny McNamara sent a long ball down the right wing and Matthew Paterson’s sublime flick left his marker well beaten. He then produced an audacious lob that left Purnell helpless.

In the second half Weston played a lot of attractive possession football but were unable to break through and were prone to the break. However it took until the final minute for Welling to make the game safe. Agyemang went on the counter and squared for Nassim L’Ghoul. His first touch was excellent to allow him to round Purnell and slot home.

Dulwich Hamlet are another side who like to play football on the ground and their away record of three wins, two draws and four defeats is identical to their home form. Their away wins have all been by the same scoreline, 2-1, and were recorded at Slough Town, Hungerford Town and league leaders Woking.

One of their defeats was on the league opening day at the hands of Welling. After a blank first half Thierry Audel put Welling ahead and Jack Jebb added a second before the Wings saw out the game without any real alarm.

Picture supplied by Dave Budden.