On Tuesday Welling United play their second home game in four days when they entertain Chelmsford City.

Hemel Hempstead Town were the visitors on Saturday and they returned home with all three points after having been awarded a highly contentious penalty.

After the match, Welling manager Danny Bloor expressed his thoughts. “Very frustrated.” he said “I thought it was a game we deserved to get something from. One of the Hemel guys just said that’s daylight robbery. In my humble opinion, it wasn’t a penalty.”

He continued “We’re a new side. There’s one player playing from last season. It’s going to take time but there were some encouraging signs. (Jephte) Tanga is a great player. Many thanks to Leyton Orient for letting us have him on loan. We need to get that elusive first win, give confidence around the place, but there was enough encouragement to make me satisfied this Saturday.”

Looking forwards, he continued “We dust ourselves down ready for the Chelmsford game on Tuesday night. I know their manager Robbie Simpson, and Adam Drew, Head of Recruitment, is a mate of mine. They’re always a strong side but as I said to the players, there’s no easy games in this league. It’s an unforgiving league and Tuesday night against Chelmsford will be no different.”

That now means that Welling have played two and lost two, and they will be looking to kick-start their season against the team from Essex.

Simpson’s Clarets have started their campaign with two home games. They defeated Farnborough one-nil on the opening day before being held to a one all draw by Hampton and Richmond Borough on Saturday. Callum Jones put them ahead in the twenty-sixth minute but Ruaridh Donaldson levelled three minutes later.

Goalscoring chances were few and far between after that. Although Chelmsford had plenty of possession, Hampton’s defence rarely looked like being breached and they had to settle for a point apiece.

In the corresponding game last season, on the Saturday of the August Bank Holiday weekend, Chelmsford went back over the Thames with all three points. After a blank first half, Simeon Jackson scored a brace. Taylor Maloney pulled one back with five minutes remaining but it was too little too late.

Images courtesy of Dave Budden