A first half Lee Gregory headed hat-trick kept AFC Halifax’s impressive home record going at the expense of a disjointed Welling United.

Jack Obersteller pulled out with sickness on the morning of the match and the re-organisation of the staring line-up did not gel. Welling were further hampered by Alex Dyer’s failure to recover from a groin injury suffered in last weekend’s victory over Tamworth.

Deep balls into the channels, especially targeting the left back area, and long throws were the main tactics deployed by the hosts but they were sufficient to see their opponents off.

Adam Smith, looking offside, hoisted a cross for the first goal. Lee Gregory met it with a firm header that was pushed out brilliantly by Lee Butcher. Unluckily for him, Gregory followed up to nod home.

Gregory scored his second in the 24^th minute when Sam Toulson’s cross was headed back by Smith for the Shaymen’s leading scorer to volley the high ball home.

He notched his third in the 36^th minute from another excellent cross from Toulson.

Welling might have pulled one back just before half time when Loick Pires was pulled down for the second time in the penalty area. Having ignored the first one, referee Anthony Blackhouse felt obliged to award a spot kick second time around.

Kurtis Guthrie stepped up but his effort was struck at a good height for Matt Glennon to get across and palm away.

Guthrie tried to make amends early in the second half but his long distance effort floated over.

His well controlled ball and lay-back found Jake Gallagher but his first time volley flew well wide.

Despite enjoying the lion’s share of the second period, and winning corner after corner, Halifax still caused problems on the break and Butcher saved from Lee Gregory before standing big to thwart substitute John McReady.

Another Guthrie shot was pushed away by Glennon before Butcher made an outstanding save from Paul Marshall after he, too, had broken through.

Although three additional minutes were added, Welling didn’t create a further opportunity and will look to bounce back when they start their F.A. Cup campaign next week.

 

AFC  Halifax Town: Glennon, Toulson, McManus, Pearson, Lowe, Roberts, Ainge, Smith (Marshall 74), Gardner (McReady 59), Gregory (Holsgrove 74), Maynard.

Unused substitutes: Senior, Johnson.

Welling United: Butcher, Fazakerley, Cargill, Day, Franks, Hudson, Gallagher, Clarke,  Guthrie, Pires (Hughes-Mason 67), Healy.

Unused substitutes:Turner, Cornes, Griffin.

Referee: Anthony Backhouse

Attendance: 1.345

Welling star man: Lee Butcher

Pictures supplied by Dave Budden.