There was disappointment for Welling United when losing at Maidstone United in the Vanarama National League South on New Year’s Day 2025.

Although Rod Stringer only made one change to the personnel of the team defeated by Chelmsford City on Boxing Day, he made changes to their shape reverting to a back four with Ricardo Di Trolio, returning for a second spell on loan from Coventry City, coming in at left back. Chiori Johnson and Daniel Martin took the wide midfield places, rather than their usual wing back roles, while Theo Alexandrou dropped to the bench.

Early on, Welling goalkeeper Rhys Lovett made an easy save from a back-heel by Sol Wanjau-Smith that lacked power. Then, at the other end, Josh Redfearn’s header from Martin’s cross was saved comfortably by Alexis Andre Jr.

Alex Lankshear turned a cross by Charlie Seaman over his own bar then Dave Winfield was happy to turn it behind after Ben Brookes delivered a teasing corner that caused Welling problems in their penalty area.

Aaron Blair, who had scored five in his last four games, looked to extend his run but shot well over before another chance fell to him. This time his shot was beaten out by Lovett before he shot wide from the rebound.

Andre Jr. saved Gene Kennedy’s free kick before Blair had a further chance that he created for himself before shooting wide of the far post.

Lovett did well to push away a low diagonal drive by Seaman from the left hand side of the penalty area before making a great save from George Fowler.

Twenty-one minutes remained, with Maidstone starting to look frustrated that their direct style of football was not reaping rewards, when they finally made the breakthrough. Brookes delivered a corner that Temi Eweka met with a firm header. Lovett did brilliantly to claw it out, only for Blair to head home the rebound from three yards out.

Stringer reacted by replacing his wide midfielders, Johnson and Martin, with the more attacking Theo Alexandrou and Zain Walker. Although the Wings probed, Maidstone’s defence was not unduly worried and they might have made the game safe when Wanjau-Smith shot over from the edge of the penalty area.

Back-to-back one-nil festive season reverses have put Welling back in relegation peril and Stringer may look at what can be done in the loan market, within budget, to resolve his team’s goalscoring woes.

Welling United: Lovett, Statham (Donkor 88), Di Trolio, Cornish, Winfield, Lankshear, Johnson (Alexandrou 74), Kennedy, Redfearn, Bramble (Andrews 88), Martin (Walker 74). Sub not used: Grant.