After a rough end to 2021, Welling United started 2022 with a well deserved win at promotion chasing Dulwich Hamlet.

Despite the big difference in league positions, the goalkeeper who was the busiest was Dulwich custodian Charlie Grainger. 

His first save was in the opening minutes when Kristian Campbell hit a low shot that needed a diving stop. At the other end, former Wings Danny Mills did well to get it across but Jordan Green screwed his shot well wide on the turn.

Dipo Akinyemi missed by a long way from well out before a Jordan Higgs shot was deflected and Jack Sims had to push it over. Giovanni McGregor went close with a free kick then Darren McQueen had two shots blocked in Dulwich’s best spell. Another McGregor shot flew just over although Sims appeared to have it covered.

Mason Saunders-Henry had a shot for Welling from twenty-five yards that Grainger saved before Mills went for an overhead effort that drifted wide.

Ade Shokunbi was off target when Welling broke however the hosts were soon on the attack again and moved it around well but Arthur Penney stood up well to turn Higgs’ shot past the post.

Maxwell Statham advanced from his defensive duties and put a dangerous low cross in that no Welling player could reach to touch home before the visitors came close just before half time. Saunders-Henry found Akinyemi and his shot, as he fell, was deflected onto the post and out.  

Building on the momentum that they had enjoyed just before the interval, Welling came out strongly and Akinyemi turned his defender on the left wing to race away but his low shot was turned round the post by Grainger. Shokunbi then found Saunders-Henry whose drive was tipped onto the bar and over by Grainger.

Joe Muscatt was next to be thwarted by a brilliant Grainger save before the Wings went ahead. Akinyemi was sent clear, and although Grainger got a hand on it, Akinyemi’s shot was hit too well and it flew home.

An over-hit cross from Quade Taylor might have caught Sims out but he was well placed to watch it drift just over the bar. Dulwich continued to press but were too strong with their crosses and through balls and Welling threatened more on the counter.

Shokunbi was sent clear but Grainger came out to save superbly then Muscatt shot over on the turn and was hit late but the referee too no action. Akinyemi drew another good save out of Grainger before Dulwich had one last chance but Deon Moore headed over from an Andre Blackman cross although, again, Sims appeared to have it covered.

As the game drew to a close Bradley Stevenson squared for Yannis Drais but he sliced his shot wide then in injury time a Shokunbi shot was cleared off the line by Blackman.       

Victory for the Wings gave manager Peter Taylor an early birthday present and Welling a vital three points to push them one place up the table and away from the drop zone.

Dulwich Hamlet: Grainger, Taylor, Blackman, Timlin, Holland, Sterling (Allassani 67), Higgs, McGregor, Mills, McQueen (Dayton 94), Green (Moore 84).

Subs not used: Barnum-Bobb, Diallo. 

Goalscorers: None 

Yellow cards: None 

Welling United: Sims, Statham, Ezennolim, Shokunbi, Perkins, Penney, Muscatt, Durojaiye, Akinyemi, Saunders-Henry (Drais 66), Campbell (Stevenson 74).

Subs not used: Barnes, Parish, Pearce.

Goalscorers: Akinyemi (56)

Yellow cards:  Drais, Ezennolim

Referee: Stephen Hughes

Assistants: Ryan Head and James Hurst 

Attendance: 3,334

Pictures supplied by Dave Budden.