It’s back to National League South action tomorrow as Gary Johnson’s men take on Welling United at Plainmoor.
United will be looking to get back to winning ways tomorrow as the Wings travel to the English Riviera, with both sides wanting the three points for different reasons.
Who’s the boss?
Danny Bloor began his managerial career back in 2007 when he took the reigns at Worthing, spending three seasons at the helm before moving on to Eastwood Town for one season. After leaving Eastwood, Bloor took the assistant managers role at Lewes for the 2013/14 season, before departing in February of 2015.
The 53 year old was out of the managerial scene until his return came in November 2019 when he took over at Eastbourne Borough, with his first season seeing Bloor lead the club to safety, with finishes in third, sixth & eighth to follow the next three season. Following a takeover at Eastbourne during the close season in 2023, Bloor was relieved of his duties, though wasn’t out of the game for long with Welling appointing him during the summer.
How have they been doing?
Welling began the season with four straight defeats, those being 5-2 away at Truro, 1-0 at home to Hemel Hempstead, 2-1 at home to Chelmsford City and 1-0 away at Taunton, before they got their first three points of the season with a 3-2 victory at home to fellow strugglers Havant & Waterlooville.
The Wings followed that win up with their second win of the season as they beat Tonbridge Angels away 1-0, but this result has proven to be their last league win this season so far. Following on from that victory Welling drew 0-0 at home to St Albans before they fell to back to back defeats at Worthing(2-0) and at home to Bath City(1-0).
A 2-2 draw at Eastbourne Borough was sandwiched in between two FA Cup wins at Dartford(3-2), and then two games against Gosport, with Welling winning after a replay(2-2 & 4-2). Last time out in the league saw them draw 2-2 at home to Farnborough, before last week saw them bow out of the FA Cup following a 1-0 defeat away at National League Boreham Wood. Coming into this game Welling sit in 21st position with two wins, three draws & six defeats, and are on nine points from their eleven games played so far.
Played for both
Jamie Sendles-White came through the ranks at Q.P.R and while with the Hoops he had loan spells at Colchester and Mansfield, before heading North to Scotland where he spent a season at Hamilton Academicals. He then returned down South, where he plied his trade at Swindon Town and then Leyton Orient, although his stay at the O’s was cut short and he joined St Albans City for the remainder of the 2017/18 season.
The 2018/19 season saw the defender arrive at Plainmoor for United’s National League South campaign, which culminated with promotion and the Championship, before he moved on to Crawley the following season. Spells at Aldershot Town and Maidenhead United came before the 29 year old spent last season at Welling United, where he played over 50 games for the club in the league and cup. This season sees Sendles-White at United’s National League South rivals Yeovil Town.
Player to watch
Tristan Abrahams came through the youth ranks at Leyton Orient, before signing on at the London club while also having a loan spell with Cambridge City. Upon his release from Brisbane Road, Abrahams joined Norwich City but in his two years at Carrow Road he failed to make an appearance, which saw him have loan spells at Exeter and Yeovil.
The Canaries released him at the end of his contract and it was Newport who were next on his travels, with the striker spending two years at the club, while also having a loan spell back at Leyton Orient. Carlisle were the next club for the 24 year old and while at the Cumbrians he spent time on loan at Grimsby Town, where he helped the Mariners regain their EFL spot thanks to a 2-1 Play-Off Final win over Solihull Moors.
Last season Abrahams was at Eastleigh, before he had a loan spell at Gillingham to end his 2022/23 season, with this season seeing Welling sign him until January.
Previous encounter
Torquay United 3 – 1 Welling United | National League South | Saturday 8th December 2018
United remained at the top of the National League South after an impressive 3-1 win over Welling United at Plainmoor. United got their first of the afternoon in the third minute via a tremendous 20-yard shot from Jake Andrews. He struck a sweet left-footed strike from a rebound to make it 1-0.
United doubled their lead in the 15th minute after a Jamie Reid through ball found its way to Janneh who managed to get away from the Welling defenders. He hit a right-footed shot from around 25 yards found its way past Dan Wilks in the Welling goal.
In the 54th minute United made it 3-0 after Saikou Janneh’s shot rebounded to defender Jean-Yves Koue Niate who was able to tap it in past Wilks from close range. On the hour mark Welling were able to get back on terms. Referee Mark Howes deemed that Shaun MacDonald had fouled Bradley Goldberg as he had broken through, though MacDonald certainly got something on the ball. Goldberg stepped up and made it 3-1.
Ticketing details for tomorrow’s fixture are available HERE, whilst live commentary of the full match will be available via TUFC Radio HERE.