Despite being an August fixture, atrocious weather greeted Eastleigh and Welling United but both set out with attacking intent.

Malachi Hudson, making his first Wings start, looked lively and could have scored in the opening minute had his effort not have taken a deflection just beyond the post. Chris Bush headed the ensuing corner over.

Paul Reid was left unmarked from Jack Midson’s corner and had time to do better than hook a volley well wide.

Tyrone Marsh, Harry Beautyman and Loui Fazakerley all had efforts before Welling took a deserved lead.through Hudson.

Kieron St Aimie spun one defender then held off another before laying off to the young Welling debutant and he finished with aplomb giving Ross Flitney no chance.

Despite the confidence boost, the Wings were unable to hold on for more than two minutes. Jai Reason’s free kick was tipped onto the post by Lee Butcher and James Constable was quickest to the loose ball to finish gleefully.

Free kicks, won easily on a very slippery pitch, seemed most likely to cause problems at both ends and James Collins did well to head a Beautyman delivery out just before the break.

Although the Wings would have been reasonably happy at the break, having shaded the first period, they were hit immediately after the re-start.

Will Evans slung in a deep cross from the right wing that Constable was able to meet unopposed at the far post and the former Oxford United striker gave Butcher no chance.

Former Gillingham and Dover Athletic goalkeeper Flitney then made a brilliant save to deny Jake Gallagher an immediate equaliser.

Flitney then tipped away a Sam Corne cross before making another outstanding save to deny Zach Fagan at the near post as he met Harry Beautyman’s corner with a sweet connection.

Marsh hit a fierce drive just off target before Eastleigh came back with a chip from Reason, saved easily by Butcher, and a header over by Reid.

Substitute Afolabi Obafemi had a header saved by Flitney before firing over after Flitney had clawed out St Aimie’s header from yet another Beautyman free kick.

It came as a sucker punch when the Spitfires added a third. Evans burst down the right wing then cut in before lashing a drive into the roof of the net.

As the game went into injury time Ben Wright missed two outstanding chances to rub salt into the wounds inflicted on the Wings.

 

Eastleigh: Flitney, Collins. Todd, Constable (McAllister 74), Reason, Midson (Wright 78), Fleetwood, Strevens, Evans, Reid, Fry.

Unused substitutes: Odubade, Smith, Noice.

Welling United: Butcher, Fazakerley, Jefford, Gallagher, Fagan, Bush, Beautyman, Corne (Gorman 81),  St Aimie, Marsh (Obafemi 72), Hudson (Nouble 81).

Unused substitutes: Turner, Williams.

Referee: Colin Lymer

Attendance: 953

Welling star man: Harry Beautyman

Pictures supplied by Dave Budden.