Following an eight game pre-season campaign, Welling United host Aveley in their Vanarama National League South curtain raiser.

Rod Stringer’s team won four, drew one and lost three as worked to get the players fit whilst making decisions on the trialists. A number of loanees returned to their parent clubs at the end of last season and Stringer also lost Antony Papadopoulos (Crawley Town), Cameron Green (Boston United), Lachlan Byrd (Aldershot Town), Crossley Lema (Tonbridge Angels) and Reice Charles-Cook (unknown).

Despite that, Welling still have a core of players that ended the last campaign and one loanee, Gene Kennedy, has re-joined the club following his release by Colchester United. It now remains to be seen on whether the new players can replicate the Wings’ form of two defeats in their last nineteen league games before last season ended.

In the corresponding game at Park View Road between Welling and Aveley last season, the visitors cruised to a comfortable three-one victory. Nana Kyei and Alex Hernandez took full advantage of defensive lapses to put the Millers two up inside the first fifteen minutes and Charlee Hughes added a third in first half stoppage time.

Although Kain Adom pulled one back from the spot just after the hour mark, they were unable to score again and crashed to defeat.

On Thursday morning, Welling held an open training session for supporters to watch the old and new players going through some exercises before the management and players chatted with supporters, signed autographs and posed for photographs.

After the way that last season ended, there is a feel-good factor about the club and with improved food and drink outlets, supporters are recommended to arrive early and enjoy the facilities before watching Welling’s new look team.

Image courtesy of Dave Budden