Floodlight football returns to Park View Road on Tuesday evening when Welling United host Hemel Hempstead Town in the Vanarama National League South.

On Saturday, the Wings were defeated at Farnborough. Twenty-four hours later, Welling announced that Rod Stringer had made the decision to resign from his role as their team manager, and that Brian Statham would be taking the reins for the remainder of the season.

When Josh Redfearn put the Wings ahead in the sixth minute at Farnborough it looked as if it was going to be a good afternoon for Stringer’s side. However, they missed some good opportunities to go two goals up and that proved costly when the hosts levelled five minutes before half time. Another good chance was missed early in the second period and Farnborough took full advantage by claiming the winner with seventeen minutes remaining.

Meanwhile, mid-table Hemel Hempstead travelled to league leaders Worthing, and fell to a three-nil defeat. Goals on the half hour mark, and in the last minute of the first half, meant that they went in at the break two down. Worthing added a third in the second period before cruising to a comfortable win. 

When Welling and Hemel met for the first time this season, back in September, the Tudors were top of the National League South, and brimming with confidence. Alfie Cerulli put them ahead in the eighth minute and they held the lead until nine minutes after the break at which point Anointed Chukwu levelled.

Eleven minutes later. Ricardo German put the hosts back ahead, and he added his second after a further five minutes. Connor Kurran-Brown notched a fourth for the visitors seven minutes from time before Gene Kennedy scored a consolation goal.

Away from home, the Tudors have won six, drawn three and lost ten. Prior to their loss at Worthing, they had gone eight games undefeated. Whilst the play-offs would appear to be beyond them, they are safe from relegation and are playing with freedom.

In last season’s corresponding game between the Wings and Hemel at the J Hearnden Skip Hire Community Stadium, the visitors claimed all three points courtesy of a George Williams penalty twelve minutes from time.

Statham will be without captain Dave Winfield through suspension, and will be monitoring the fitness of Daniel Martin. Other than that, he should have a full squad from which to select. 

Picture supplied by Dave Budden.