After two heavy defeats in four days, Welling United will look to bounce back on Saturday afternoon when they host Truro City in the Vanarama National League South.

However, it will be a tough challenge for Rod Stringer’s team as their opponents, who have returned to Cornwall after a nomadic couple of seasons, are placed second in the league.

Last Saturday, Welling lost four-nil at home to Chippenham Town having been three down in just thirteen minutes. On Tuesday evening, they got off to a far better start when Anointed Chukwu put them ahead after just forty-two seconds. The Wings could easily have been two or three up by half time as they created chances whilst defending all that was thrown at them. 

Everything changed five minutes after the break when Welling conceded a sloppy goal, Then, three minutes later, Eastbourne scored again. Former Wing George Alexander added a brace in the closing fifteen minutes to complete a second half drubbing. 

Over the same four days, Truro played out two draws, both one apiece. On Saturday, they visited Slough Town before hosting Chippenham on Tuesday. Their Bonfire Night game appeared to be something of a damp squib before the visitors went ahead from the spot with four minutes remaining. However, Truro showed why they’re challenging at the top by levelling in the fourth minute of stoppage time through Billy Palfrey.

That extended their unbeaten league record to seven matches. Away from home, they have won two, drawn three, and lost just once, with their only defeat on the road having been suffered at Bath City. Tyler Harvey will be a particular threat for the Wings as he already has eleven league goals to his name this season.

In last season’s corresponding fixture between Welling and Truro at Park View Road, the Wings won three-two to avenge their five-two opening day defeat. At half time, Welling were behind to a Dan Sullivan goal, but scored twice within five minutes after the break through Gene Kennedy and Sonny Fish.  Harvey then levelled however, the winner came from Antony Papadopoulos fifteen minutes before the end.

Games between the two teams have tended to be high scoring affairs. The last five games between them with Welling at home have ended with the hosts winning five-three, four-three, three-two (twice) plus a two all draw. 

Picture supplied by Dave Budden.