Three points won against Gloucester City took Welling United to the top of the Vanarama National League South.

Steve King’s teams’ injury list has been well documented but they were further hit by suspensions to Julien Anau and David Ijaha. As a result King has made changes to the squad bringing in Montel Agyemang on a short term deal and current England C international Kyjuon Marsh-Brown. To facilitate the signings James Hurst, Dean McDonald and Nathaniel Pinney have departed.

It took just three minutes for Welling to go ahead. Clever play by Adam Coombes allowed Nassim L’Ghoul to get free down the left wing. He crossed to Matt Paterson who knocked it back and Brendan Kiernan hooked home.

Chris Knowles had a couple of chances to make a quick response but did not trouble Dan Wilks on either occasion.

Kiernan had another chance for Welling but after bringing it down well his shot didn’t have sufficient power to trouble Adam Przybek.

Wilks was bundled into the net by Knowles but there were no Gloucester complaints when the goal was disallowed.

Coombes came close with a header just over from a looping Craig Braham-Barrett cross, then even closer when meeting a  L’Ghoul centre with a first time shot that brought a brilliant save out of Przybek.

Matt Liddiard headed over when given a free header from a Fabian Robert free kick but Welling had the last chance of the half when a twenty-five yard effort from Kiernan flew just wide with Przybek floundering.

Just as they had done in the first half, Welling started the second period with a goal. Coombes cut in from the right and was felled inches outside the area. L’Ghoul lined it up and fired a free kick just inside the far post.

Wilks was then called into the action twice, his first save being brilliant from Robert’s header and the second a little more straight-forward from a Sam Avery shot.

Paterson then marked his debut with a goal when Kiernan made a strong run before finding Paterson who found the bottom corner with unerring accuracy.

Jack Deaman almost embarrassed himself with an own goal but his diving header from another L’Ghoul free kick flew just over.

Joe Parker pulled one back with thirteen minutes when firing just inside the far post but other than a Harry Williams shot that was deflected into the side netting they did not trouble Welling again and the Wings saw out the game in relative comfort.

 

 

Welling United: Wilks; Gibbons, Braham-Barrett, Mendy, Audel, Hill, Kiernan (Marsh-Brown 74), Agyemang, Paterson, Coombes (Goldberg 74), L’Ghoul.

Subs not used: Mills, Banya, Ambroisine.

 

Gloucester City: Przbek, Hanks (Williams 73), Hamilton, Edge (Smerdon 59), Avery, Deaman, Parker, Knowles, Wright (Waewick 73), Liddiard, Robert.

Subs not used: Lawrence, Kelly.

 

Welling United:

Goalscorers: Kiernan (3), L’Ghoul (49), Paterson (67)

Yellow cards: Braham-Barrett, Mendy

Red cards: None

 

Gloucester City:

Goalscorers: Parker (77)

Yellow cards: Smerdon

Red cards: None

 

Referee: Dean Skipper

Assistants: Steven Parmenter and Kirsty Dowie

 

Attendance: 600

 

Welling star player: Nassim L’Ghoul

Pictures supplied by Dave Budden.