Following a long trip to Plymouth at the weekend, Welling were on their travels again three nights later with a difficult Skrill premier league game at Grimsby Town.

Joe Healy’s one in a million goal put them ahead and a brilliant defensive performance brought the Wings to within seconds of completing a memorable double.

After Craig Disley fired over from a half cleared free kick, and Lee Butcher punched out when under pressure, Welling stunned the Mariners when scoring with their first meaningful attack in the 11^th minute.

Kurtis Guthrie crossed deep and Healy stole in at the far post to flick into the roof of the net.

Sam Hatton required running repairs to a cut above his right eye but was soon back in action.

Although enjoying plenty of possession in the middle of the pitch, Grimsby only created a couple of clear cut chances and their supporters seemed more intent in amusing the referee than in getting behind their team.

There was a close call for the Wings when Blaine Hudson cleared off the line and Lenell John-Lewis’ follow up was clawed away by Butcher for a corner.

Guthrie was cautioned for an untidy challenge in the right back area but Clayton McDonald soon followed.

De’Reece Vanderhyde needed to put a dangerous low cross away for a corner but Jake Gallagher was in the right place to chest down Shaun Pearson’s floated header from the goal line.

Only a Sam Hatton free kick worried Welling again before the break but he slammed his effort straight into the defensive wall.

Hudson was unable to muster sufficient power to bother McKeown in the second period but Butcher was called upon to make a strong save when Scott Neilson twisted and turned his way past three defenders before unleashing a powerful shot.

Alex Rodman had a shot deflected into the side netting and he then hit a powerful shot directly at Butcher, but the Welling custodian held on comfortably.

Alex Dyer’s cross-shot was just beyond the reach of Ross Lafayette but Grimsby countered by winning a cheap free kick from which they should have equalised.

Aswad Thomas’ delivery beat all but came back off the post for Hudson to head out but his clearance hit Pearson  who stabbed the follow up wide.

Welling could have put the game to bed in the last ten minutes when Luis Cumbers’ cross caused confusion but neither Aristide Bassele nor Lafayette hit their efforts cleanly and James Mckeown made two scrambled saves on his own line.

Despite four minutes of injury time being signalled, Welling’s defence was breached after 95 minutes had elapsed when Dayle Southwell finished at close range after Hatton’s long throw had been flicked on.

 

Grimsby Town: McKeowen, Hatton, Thomas, Kerr, Pearson, Disley, Neilson (Colbeck 62), McDonald (Southwell 81), John-Lewis (Cook 66), Hannah, Rodman.

Unused substitutes: Bignot, Mclaughlin.

Welling United: Butcher, Vanderhyde, Cargill, Gallagher, Franks, Hudson, Day, Dyer, Guthrie (Bassele 58),  Lafayette, Healy (Cumbers 79).

Unused substitutes:Turner, Joe Obersteller, Beautyman.

Referee: A. Backhouse

Attendance: 2,482

Welling star man: Jake Gallagher

Pictures supplied by Dave Budden.