There is a break from Vanarama National League South action for Welling United and Maidstone United when they meet at Park View Road on Tuesday evening in the Kent Senior Cup.

Rod Stringer’s Wings come into the game after three tough games in eight days. Having won one-nil in a tight game at St. Albans, they hosted Enfield Town. In that game they looked well in control at one-nil up but when they missed a penalty and were forced to play the last thirty minutes with ten men, they had to dig in and work harder than might have been necessary.

Then on Saturday, they visited Dorking Wanderers and again gave their all. They could easily have been one-nil up before going behind in the fifteenth minute.

They were still well in the game before goalkeeper Rhys Lovett sustained a concussion injury, and with no goalkeeper on the bench, TJ Bramble covered. Twelve minutes remained when Dorking added a second with an unstoppable shot. Although Chiori Johnson pulled one back, Welling’s hard work was unrewarded.

George Elokobi’s Stones only had two games during that period but will be preparing for their F.A. Cup First Round match at Solihull Moors next weekend. They also had a tough game on Saturday when they beat early season pace setters Hemel Hempstead Town one-nil. Jon Benton scored the only goal three minutes before half time.

Incredibly, that was the Stones’ first league win of the season however, they are on an eight game unbeaten league and cup run which includes a three-nil beating of National League Ebbsfleet United.

With both clubs having other priorities, they are likely to play much changed teams. Their respective management teams will look at the match as an opportunity to get competitive minutes into the legs of squad players who have been short of playing time. It will also give the players a chance to impress and stake their claims for a first team place.

Images courtesy of Dave Budden