There was a need for Welling United to show both sides of their game when defeating Dulwich Hamlet away from home.

In the first half, the Wings played some exciting open football and were good value for their two goal lead. However, after the break, Dulwich threw everything into attack and Welling had to show great defensive fortitude.

Things could barely have started better for the Wings. They won a free kick out wide, and Taylor Maloney delivered to the near post. Maloney’s former Bromley team mate Frankie Raymond stretched to get ahead of Ade Azeez but could only turn it into his own net.

Joe Osaghae then made an excellent save from Azeez after he had combined well with Anthony Papadopoulos, who came into the team for Tyrique Hyde, before Palace Francis led a break from a Dulwich corner and found Azeez whose shot was blocked.

Papadopoulos had a long-range shot saved before Dulwich had an opportunity when Dan Smith brought down a long clearance, but he scuffed his shot wide of the near post.

Jayden Clarke forced a brilliant save out of Myles Roberts and it came out to Smith, but he could only knock it back into the arms of the Welling goalkeeper.

As half time approached, Welling increased the tempo. Azeez had a long-range shot saved then Francis aimed a shot towards the top corner, but it went over. Aaron Barnes had a shot saved by Osaghae before Roberts was called into action to make an excellent save from Joe Felix.

Going into injury time, Welling scored again. Barnes found Azeez with a throw down the line. He shrugged off a challenge by Ronnie Vint before pulling it back for Amadou Kassarate to fire home at the near post.

Former Wing Danny Mills was one of two Dulwich half time substitutions as Dulwich looked to build momentum and Smith drew a comfortable save out of Roberts from a shot from the edge of the penalty area.

Roberts then made an excellent save, tipping over a Sam Deadfield header from a Nana Owusu cross before Dulwich pulled one back midway through the second period. Deadfield crossed and Mills rose high to power home an unstoppable header.

Raymond shot wide after another substitute and ex-Wing, George Porter, played it into his path but soon after, Dulwich were fortunate to keep eleven men on the pitch. Jamie Splatt had already been cautioned when he flew in on a wild challenge on Kassarate that left both players requiring treatment. Surprisingly, the referee took no further action yet allowed the Welling player to continue while Splatt had to wait to be gestured back on.

Splatt almost took advantage of his escape when crossing for Felix, but his shot came out off the feet of Roberts and Welling scrambled it away.

Another Splatt cross picked out Porter, but his flick header went wide, and the hosts had one last chance when Mills met a cross, but his header was pushed round the post by Roberts.

Dulwich Hamlet: Osaghae, Comley, Taylor (Owusu 46), Raymond, Vint, Deadfield, Splatt, Felix, Smith (Porter 69), Clarke, Timlin (Mills 46).

Subs not used: Savane, Krasniqi.

Goalscorers: Mills (68)

Yellow cards: Splatt

Welling United: Roberts, Barnes, Ezennolim, Dunne, Sendles-White, Francis (Hyde 72), Azeez, Papadopoulos (Nzala 82), Maloney (Elito 90+2).

Sub not used: McKenzie, Dickens.

Goalscorers: Raymond o.g. (2). Kassarate (45+2)

Yellow cards: Barnes

Referee: Andrew Humphries

Assistants: Jeffrey Aldous and Elliott Mayer

Attendance: 2,320

Pictures supplied by Dave Budden.