Tuesday night is derby night when Welling United entertain Maidstone United in the National League South.

In the battle of the United’s, the visitors will start as favourites as they look to make an immediate bounce back following relegation last season. The full time Stones are fifth in the league table, just four points behind pace-setters Yeovil Town.

On Saturday they were held to a one all draw against Farnborough to end their run of six consecutive league and cup wins. They went behind to a Taylor Maloney penalty after six second half minutes but they rescued a point in the final minute scored by goal machine Levi Amantchi

Danny Bloor’s Welling equalled their worst result of the season when beaten five-one at Torquay. They looked comfortable for the first twenty-five minutes and were good value for their lead, scored by Kain Adom.

However, when the hosts levelled from the spot, Welling capitulated. Losing Cameron Green to an injury at half time didn’t help their cause but they had already conceded for the fifth time by the time debutant goalkeeper James Holden was sent off.

That left the Wings in the bottom two in the table, five points away from safety, and they will be looking to go on a winning run as quickly as possible.

When the two teams met at Park View Road two seasons ago, it was two days after the Stones had claimed the league championship and their supporters descended upon the ground to celebrate. However, it was the Wings who claimed the points that afternoon. Harvey Bradbury gave them a half time lead.

Hady Ghandour levelled early in the second half but Bradley Stevenson restored Welling’s lead midway through the half, When Bradbury scored from the spot in the first minute of stoppage time it appeared that it was game over.

Joe Ellul had other ideas, though, and pulled one back three minutes later. That proved to be too little too late and the Wings claimed the three points that guaranteed them safety.

Images courtesy of Dave Budden