Back on the road, Welling United showed their mettle to claim three important points at Concord Rangers.

An icy cold wind made playing conditions very difficult but Welling adapted well and were deserved victors.

It will be a game that former Welling and Maidstone United winger Ben Greenhalgh will not want to remember for a two minute spell in the second half. First he headed into his own net then he smashed a penalty against the crossbar.

Bailey Vose was the first goalkeeper called into action making an excellent save from Femi Akinwande but former Dartford stopper Louis Wells was soon getting his first taste when saving from Jack Jebb.

Joe Healy and Bradley Goldberg both fired over before Aristide Bassele headed too high for Concord from Greenhalgh’s free kick.

Only twenty-nine minutes had passed when Welling were forced into making a change. Ben Jefford was smashed into the fence by Khale Da Costa who was booked. After prolonged treatment, Jefford was stretchered off and replaced by Archie Johnson.

Callum Driver tried his luck from forty yards but Wells back-pedalled to save. Healy then sent Goldberg away and his shot brought an outstanding save out of Wells.

Goldberg then turned provider when pulling back to Jamie Philpot but the Millwall loanee shot just wide.

Bassele went on a run and fired in a shot that Vose blocked and Jack Parkinson cleared up-field.

At the forty-five minute mark the referee indicated that due to the time spent on Jefford’s injury there would be five additional minutes and in the final one Welling went ahead. Goldberg’s header was cleared off the line but just as he had been at the other end, Parkinson was on hand for the rebound to fire home.

After the break Goldberg and Philpot both had half chances before Welling extended their lead. Ryan Hall’s great free kick delivery gave Concord problems and all Greenhalgh could do was to head into his own net.

Two minutes later he might have atoned when Parkinson fouled Da Costa in the area. Greenhalgh tried to smash his spot kick straight down the middle but was too high and saw it fly back off the bar.

Steve Cawley then missed a great chance for Concord and after that Welling were never really troubled again.

In fact Welling might have scored again when Jebb had a deflected shot saved and Wells was again in action in the closing minutes when keeping out a Healy shot.

Victory took the Wings to within two points of Hemel Hempstead Town who currently sit in the final play-off place. The two teams meet next Saturday.

 

Concord Rangers: Wells, Smith, Brown, Farrell, Roast, Knight, Da Costa, Bassele (Igorae 60), Akinwande, Cawley, Greenhalgh.

Subs not used: Ranger, King, Girdlestone, Freeman.

 

Welling United: Vose, Driver, Jefford (Johnson 29), Dymond, Acheampong, Parkinson, Jebb, Healy, Goldberg (Durojaiye 81), Philpot (Nanetti 90), Hall.

Subs not used: Coyle, Monakana.

 

 

Concord Rangers:

Goalscorers: None

Yellow cards: Bassele, Da Costa, Akinwande

Red cards: None

 

Welling United:

Goalscorers: Parkinson (45), Greenhalgh og (62)

Yellow cards: Dymond, Philpot

Red cards: None

 

Referee: Paul Harris

Assistants: Michael Robinson-Tant and Benjamin Bowles

 

Attendance: 287

 

Welling star player: Ryan Hall

Pictures supplied by Dave Budden.