Whilst results are not crucial in pre-season games, Welling’s late flurry of goals at Hastings helped them to a third consecutive victory.

It did not look good for the Wings when they went behind midway through the second period but three goals in the final ten minutes turned the game around.

Jamie Slabber met an early Sam Hatton corner with a powerful header that flew wide of the near post before Welling goalkeeper Chris Lewington had to be alert to turn over a cheeky effort from Harry Stannard.

Harry Crawford came close to putting Welling ahead but Lenny Pidgeley made a fine save via the near post.

Lewington was called into further action, first tipping over another Stannard effort and then saving a long range Steve Watt header.

Bush then did well did well to set up a chance for Sam Hatton but his attempt drifted just wide of the far post.

Jack Harris had a header claimed by Lewington just before the end of the first half.

Matt Bodkin fired wide for Hastings but there were few chances before the hosts went ahead when a long throw appeared to clip Frannie Collin on the way into the net.

Bodkin might have made the game safe when bursting through but he again failed to hit the target.

That proved costly when Bobby Devyne fired home with seven minutes remaining.

Archie Johnson then put Welling ahead when breaking through and clipping home.

He was then felled in the area and Hatton scored from the spot to finish the game in style.

After the game, Welling manager Mark Goldberg was satisfied with the performance. “I think, other than the fact we learnt a lot about the players, it was good fitness and we said a few things at half time and it got a lot better in the second half.

“We had opportunities. First ten / fifteen minutes, we could have been two nil up. Didn’t really punish them, didn’t take our chances but overall I was pleased with the outcome of the day in so many ways. Obviously it’s great to get a win as well.”

 

Hastings United: Pidgeley, Welch, Butler, Wilson, Watt, Davies, Bodkin, Johnson, Harris, Collin, Stannard.

Welling United: Lewington, Nelson, Brown, Corne, Francis, Hayles, Bush, Hatton, Slabber, Crawford, Sprague.

Substitutes included: Allen, Taylor, Waldren, Jackson, Johnson, Devyne.

 

Referee: David Spain

Assistants: Katie Wilde and Paul Saunders