Following the Boxing Day defeat at Dover, Welling have a chance to put it behind them with a home game against Torquay United on Sunday.

It will be tough for the team having to play their third game in six days, especially when carrying knocks and illness. Adversity can bring determined performances out of players, however, and the team will be keen to show the new management what they can do.

Jody Brown will look to freshen up the team as much as possible and Charlie Penny may be given a start up front. Malik Ouani looked lively when he came on at Dover and may also be pressing for his first full game of the season. Joey Taylor’s suspension has now been completed so he provides an alternative at the back.

One change that will definitely be made is Jonathan Henly will replace the suspended Benji Buchel.

Torquay will also be looking to bounce back having lost at home to Bristol Rovers on Boxing Day. They have drifted down to tenth place now however they remain just four points outside the play-off zone so know that a good string of results can put them back in a good position following their relegation from the football league last Spring.

When the two teams met in August, the Devonians ran out 3-0 winners, although they weren’t quite as comfortable as the score-line suggests. Their third goal, on that evening, was scored by Toby Ajala who played for Welling United for the second half of last season.

He is enjoying a good season with the Gulls and is expected to be in their starting line up on Sunday.

This will be the first time Welling have ever entertained Torquay at Park View Road so they will be hoping for a good gate buoyed by visiting supporters who have battled against the difficulties of Sunday festive period travel.

Picture supplied by Dave Budden.