On Tuesday Welling United complete their trilogy of consecutive league home games in eight days when they host Hemel Hempstead Town in a Vanarama National League South fixture.

There will be a special edge to the game as the Tudors now have former Welling manager Brad Quinton in charge of their team, and he has the majority of the management team that he had at Park View Road in his dug-out.

He took over with the Hemel team in decline but he has steadied the ship and they are now one place ahead of the Wings, with four points more, but having played a game more.

On Saturday, they claimed an impressive three points when they defeated Havant and Waterlooville causing the Hawks to drop out of the top three for the first time this season. Luke Holness scored a brilliant solo first half goal to put them ahead, and former Wing Josh Hill made it comfortable for Hemel early in the second half.

While Hemel were enjoying their win, Welling were coming from behind to earn a point against Chippenham Town. Alex Bray put the Bluebirds ahead just after the hour mark but Kodi Lyons-Foster’s first goal for the Wings ensured parity with twelve minutes remaining.

Away from home, the Tudors have won five, drawn four, and lost seven. Their recent defeat at Hungerford Town was their only loss since New Year’s Day and they harbour serious ambitions of getting into the play off places by the end of the season.

When Welling visited Hemel back in August, they staged a great come from behind victory. Josh Castiglione scored in the second minute and when Jordan Greenidge converted an injury time penalty the Wings looked dead and buried.

However, Welling had other ideas. Stefan Payne pulled one back five minutes after the break and Antony Papadopoulos levelled four minutes later. Shell-shocked Hemel were stunned after less than one further minute when Payne scored again.

The Wings’ task was made more difficult when Taofiq Olomowewe was dismissed with twenty five minutes remaining. Despite the numerical disadvantage, Myles Roberts wasn’t called into action until making an excellent save from Alfie Richards in the closing minutes.

Last season’s corresponding game at Park View Road ended in defeat for the Wings. Dipo Akinyemi put Welling ahead three minutes into the second half, but Joash Nembhard levelled with under twenty minutes remaining. Dan Wishart won it for the visitors with two minutes remaining.

Welling manager Warren Feeney will be without suspended Amadou Kassarate and awaits updates on the injuries to Taylor Maloney and Taylor Curran.

He said: “It’ll be a tough game. They’ve picked up a few good results lately. It’s an old coaching staff from here. It’s going to be a tough one. There are good players champing at the bit and it (Kassarate’s suspension) will give someone the chance to step in there and hopefully put in a performance.”

Picture supplied by Dave Budden.