Warren Feeney’s first game in charge of Welling United was a midweek trip to Hampton and Richmond Borough. He will have seen the task ahead of him as his team slumped to an uninspiring defeat.

Three players came in for Welling debuts as Feeney rang the changes from the team that were held by Bath City three days earlier.

Joe Muscatt fired over early on from a Brad Stevenson cross before Hampton had a series of corners that came to nothing.

Having defended them well, Welling again created a good chance when Stevenson played in Ben Allen and he chested it down well, but his shot was well saved by former Welling goalkeeper Reiss Charles-Cook. It came out to Dipo Akinyemi, but he couldn’t get it where he wanted to get a shot away and the chance was gone.

James Roberts tested Jack Sims from a free kick, but the Welling goalkeeper was equal to it with a fine save before Roberts was given another opportunity and Sims made an incredible save, tipping it onto the post.

Akinyemi headed wide from a Muscatt cross before another needless free kick was conceded on the edge of the area. This time Roberts’ effort over the wall gave Sims no chance.

Looking for a response, Muscatt sent a cross-field pass out to Akinyemi and he cut in and unleashed a low near post shot but Charles-Cook did well to get down and make a fine save.

Not to be outdone, Sims made an even better save to thwart Brandon Barzey from close range after being set up by Imran Uche. At the other end, Akinyemi had a volley blocked out for a corner then Welling had another opportunity when Bradley Stevenson reached a cross from Muscatt, but his poked shot was deflected wide. 

Roberts shot over after being set up by Barzey, then Destiny Oladipo looked to make the most of the Wings’ defence being pulled out of their shape, but Chi Ezennolim got back to clear off the line.

There was one last chance for Roberts with yet another free kick just before half time but although he again got it over the wall, his radar was slightly out, and it went wide.

After the interval Jamie White was unable to turn in a Muscatt cross before a further free kick knocked the stuffing out of Welling. This time Kyron Farrell took it and his delivery over the wall and inside the post gave Sims no chance.

Uche shot from outside the penalty area, but Sims was down to save before he kept out another Roberts effort after he had twisted and turned on the edge of the area to make space for his shot.

Sims made yet another outstanding save when Uche’s shot took a deflection causing it to dip but the Welling custodian dived full length to tip it over.

Out of the blue, Welling pulled one back with seven minutes remaining. Akinyemi retrieved an overhit cross and eased back in before firing a pinpoint accurate shot just inside the far post.

That lifted Welling and they almost scored an unlikely equaliser when Tom Derry’s shot was blocked bravely by Zach Dronfield, but it wasn’t to be and Welling’s hopes of staying up took another huge dent.

Hampton and Richmond Borough: Charles-Cook, Dunne, Farrell, Deadfield, Ness, Inman, Barzey (Fisher 82), Donaldson, Oladipo (Dronfield 71), Roberts (Allen 87), Uche.

Subs not used: Niznik, Miller-Rodney.

Goalscorers: Roberts (19), Farrell (54)

Yellow cards: Barzey, Uche

Welling United: Sims, Statham, Ezennolim, Durojaiye, Curran, Wells, Muscatt (Saunders-Henry 74), White, Akinyemi, Allen (Derry 65), Stevenson.

Subs not used: Barnes, Pearce, Jackson

Goalscorers: Akinyemi (83)

Yellow cards: Stevenson, Feeney

Referee: Stephen Parkinson

Assistant Referees: Luke Chapman and Adam Merchant

Attendance: 470

Pictures supplied by Dave Budden.