Although still relatively early in the season, Welling United visited Concord Rangers with both teams appreciating the importance of the game.
As the only two win-less teams in the league, both wanted to end the run and kick-start their season.
Anyone expecting a tight encounter will have been shocked as Welling thumped their hosts 5-0 with Adam Coombes claiming a hat-trick.
Ali Fuseini came in for his debut following his transfer from Margate and put in a dominant performance in midfield. Sean Francis’ return in defence was also most welcome.
Lyle Della-Verde fired over early on, then had an effort deflected wide as Welling imposed themselves early.
Sean Francis was off target from a header and Danny Waldren, Adam Coombes and Pierre Joseph-Dubois all had efforts blocked.
Steve Cawley fired well over for Concord after his initial effort came back off the wall.
After 24 minutes, Welling took a deserved lead. Joseph-Dubois was the provider for Della-Verde who picked his spot for his first Welling goal.
Rob Girdlestone then sliced onto the roof of his own net as Welling continued to search for the crucial second goal.
Following the break, Welling continued to press and Coombes had a header saved by Ben McNamara.
Another good save followed soon after to deny the lively Della-Verde.
Eventually, Welling made their pressure count when Joseph Dubois finished coolly after being sent clear by Delle Verde.
Coombes then added two in three minutes. First he was adjudged to have been brought down by McNamara in the penalty area and he stepped up to convert.
Then he collected Dan Walker’s pass before firing home.
Alex Akrofi should have pulled one back after Chris Lewington saved from Cawley, but he fired the rebound against the bar.
Lewington made another save, this time from Sam Collins before Welling put the icing on the cake in the final minute.
Walker’s cross was half cleared but Coombes fired home with the aid of deflection.
Mark Goldberg, Welling’s manager, was delighted afterwards. “It’s been a hard few weeks, hasn’t it? It does take time for a team to gel. Behind the scenes we’ve been feeling confident. The Truro game was the first indication that we were starting to gel together.
“Obviously, we had a setback with the lack of ammunition that we had the following Monday but we still believed and at training this week there’s been a lot of confidence, a lot of good work, and it’s paid off today.
“We had to do the difficult stuff first. It doesn’t matter who you play against. You grind out a result first of all through hard work. Then, when the third goal went in, I think their confidence went and we just started bossing it a lot more.
“It’s a step in the right direction, isn’t it, and it does feel a helluva lot better than it has done recently. We’re not getting carried away with today by any means. We’ve achieved nothing yet.“
Concord Rangers: McNamara, Girdlestone (Mason 77), Onyemah, Dowie, Lampe, Ekpiteta, Hodd, White, Dumaka (Akrofi 75), Cawley, Carlos.
Unused substitutes: Laucys, Collins, Topley.
Welling United: Lewington, Nelson, Brown, Fuseini, Francis (Banton 80), Hayles, Joseph-Dubois (Johnson 67), Waldren,Walker, Coombes, Della-Verde (Whitely 69).
Unused Substitutes: Agu, Hatton.
Referee: Alan Dale
Assistants: Anthony Pope and Andrew Tyne
Attendance: 258
Welling star player: Adam Coombes
Images courtesy of Dave Budden