Boxing Day is traditionally a day for local derbies and Welling United host Dartford in an eagerly awaited one at Park View Road.

Despite being held by Braintree Town on Saturday, Dartford still hold top place in the Vanarama National League South although only goal difference separates them from four other clubs on 39 points.

One of those chasers, Chelmsford City, slammed Welling United 4-1 on Saturday knocking the Wings down to eleventh place in the league. However, they are only seven points behind the joint leaders and know that if they react in the correct way they could find themselves back in the mix.

Their one away reversal was against Saturday’s visitors Truro. It was the first of three occasions so far this season when Welling have clawed back a 2-0 deficit but the only time that they went on to lose.

However their recent poor form of three points in their last five league games and just one win eight league and cup games needs to be corrected quickly if they are to keep in touch with the promotion chasing pack.

Meanwhile the Darts have been in strong form and it took penalties for National League Boreham Wood to knock them out of the F.A. Trophy.

At home, Welling have a record of won four, drawn three and lost four and Dartford have identical away form so in that respect, a tight match could be on the cards.

There will be personal interest for the two managers. Welling manager Jamie Coyle played under Darts boss Tony Burman before first leaving for the Wings in 2010. Tom Bradbrook is another former Dartford player in the Welling squad and he’ll be keen to return to fitness to play against his brother Elliott.

Alfie Pavey was in the Welling squad at the start of the season but struggled to make an impact and was allowed to leave for Dartford where he’s been in fine form having scored fifteen league and cup goals so far this season. Other former Wings now at Princes Park include Assistant Manager Paul Sawyer and players Lyle Della-Verde and Andy Pugh.

One player will be absent through suspension. Joe Healy completes his two match suspension for an incident in the tunnel in their away game at Braintree Town back in September.In the corresponding fixture last season, played on Shrove Tuesday, the game ended goal-less but there was plenty of incident in an enthralling match.