Although Welling were able to bring in new players, it was too soon for them to make an impression and they slumped to another away defeat.

Jon Parkin headed softly for Jonathan Henly to claim before new Bournemouth loanee. Michael Carmichael shot over.

Welling went ahead with a wonderful free moving attack that was finished with a fine first time finish by Joe Healy from Jake Gallagher’s incisive pass.

Almost immediately, Forest Green equalised with a controversial goal. A quickly taken free kick left the linesman in no position to spot that Elliott Frear was clearly offside before crossing for Sam Parkin to finish.

Healy came close again, but hooked just over before England C international James Norwood had two chances at the other end.

First, he had a fierce drive beaten out by Jonathan Henly., then he sliced an effort well wide.

Clovis Kamdjo was also thwarted by Henly before the Wings keeper had to clear up a scramble after failing to claim the initial cross.

Aristide Bassele had a shot defleted wide just before the break.

Healy was replaced at the break by another new signing Reece Harris.

Seven minutes into the second period before The hosts went ahead. Having given the ball away. Welling were caught on the break and Parkin rose to float a clever header inside the far post.

Any hopes Welling had of coming back into the game were lost when the hard working Charlie Penny was flattened by Sam Russell inside the penalty area without either touching the ball but the referee chose to award a corner.

Another Welling midfield give-away put them on the back foot and gave former Wing Kurtis Guthrie the opportunity to rise and head home.

Despite that, Welling were never over-run, and yet another misplaced midfield ball cost them. Dale Bennett raced away from the back-footed defence and crossed for Norwood to give the score that flattered the hosts.

They may have been beaten, but Welling still continued to look for opportunities and both Jake Gallagher and substitute Sam Corne forced excellent saves from Russell.

As the Wings are out of the F.A. Trophy, Welling manager Jody Brown now has a two week spell with no game to give himself the opportunity to integrate the new players into the squad and to start to implement his methods.

 

Forest Green Rovers: Russell, Oliver, Bennett, Norwood (Hughes 80), Kelly, Kamdjo, Racine, Guthrie (Wedgbury 80), Frear, Sinclair, Parkin (Fleetwood 74).

Unused substitutes: White, Stokes.

 

Welling United: Henly, Osborne, Jefford, Fagan (Corne 82), Bush, Fyfield, Bassele (Young 69), Gallagher, Penny, Healy (Harris 46), Carmichael.

Unused substitutes: St. Aimie, Zerafa.

 

Referee: Adam Bromley

Welling star man: Ben Jefford

Attendance: 1,147

Pictures supplied by Dave Budden.