While fireworks exploded all around, Welling United’s hopes of getting something from their game at Eastbourne Borough exploded in their faces.

Just forty-two seconds were on the clock when the Wings took a shock lead. Zain Walker burst down the left and cut in along the bye-line before driving it across the face of goal. Freddie Carter managed to knock it out, but only as far as Anointed Chukwu who thrashed it home from five yards.

Pierce Bird had a shot deflected wide for the Sports before Walker again went on a good run before sending Chukwu through. He tried to create an angle for himself and although his side-footer lacked pace, goalkeeper Finn Holten still struggled to bundle it round the post.

Carter then had another moment of concern when he met a deep cross from Kwaku Donkor and headed it wide of his own far post before Gene Kennedy struck a free kick over the defensive wall and also the crossbar.

David Sesay found space from a short corner and crossed low towards the near post but it was slightly behind George Alexander and he could only hook it wide of the near post. 

Another chance came and went for the Wings when TJ Bramble beat the last man and burst through before squaring to Chukwu. Instead of shooting first time, Welling’s leading scorer took a touch allowing Moussa Diarra to get across and make a brilliant last ditch block from Chukwu’s shot.

Yahya Bamba then switched to the left hand side and Eastbourne started to cause more problems. A dangerous cross of his was well cleared by Jack Burchell before a Carter header was nodded away in front of his own line by Alex Lankshear.

Although, the hosts had the better of the remainder of the first half, Welling defended well and went in at the break one up.

It all changed five minutes into the second half when Bird sent over an inswinging corner that Jordan Gillmore could only punch into his own net. 

There was an opportunity for an immediate response when Kwaku Donkor went on a powerful run and found Chukwu. He laid it back to Kennedy whose twenty yard effort flew just over. However, the Wings paid for that moments later when Carter crossed to Michael Klass who brought it down and thrashed it home. 

Klass had another chance when a long clearance from Holter was knocked into his path by Alexander giving him a clear run on goal but he fired beyond the far post.

Just over fifteen minutes remained when Eastbourne added a third. They were awarded a free kick on the edge of the penalty order and with Welling expecting Bird to shoot, he slid it into the path of Alexander and the one time Wings striker fired home.

Gillmore claimed from Klass after Alexander squared it to him, then Bird had a shot that took a slight deflection on its way behind. Bird headed wide from the subsequent corner however, the Sports kept probing and added a fourth. Moussa Diarra brought down a deep cross and flicked it to Alexander who fired home.

Bramble had a powerful shot that was charged down before Kennedy’s low cross-shot was held by Huster at the second attempt. 

As the clock ran down, Fin Ballard-McBride had one last chance for the hosts when he struck a shot that was well saved by Gillmore.

Eastbourne Borough: Holter, Clarke, Sesay, Carter (Davis 83), Diarra, Bird, Johnson, Odusanya, Alexander (Ligendza 83), Bamba (Kensdale 78), Klass (Ballard-McBride (78).

Sub not used: Pavey.

Goalscorers: Gillmore own goal (50), Klass (53), Alexander (74), (82)

Yellow cards: Murray, Bird

Welling United: Gillmore, Donkor (Johnson 76), Martin, Burchell, Winfield, Lankshear, Kelly (Taylor-Crossdale 64), Kennedy, Chukwu, Bramble, Walker (Long 76).

Subs not used: Statham, Cornish.

Goalscorer: Chukwu (1)

Yellow cards: Winfield, Kelly

Referee: Harrison Blair

Assistants: Harry Wood and Simon Faires

Fourth Official: Robert Ablitt

Attendance: 1,172

Pictures supplied by Dave Budden.