A tough opening game for Welling United ended in defeat at Havant and Waterlooville, one of the Vanarama National League South championship favourites.

Only Hawks goalkeeper Ross Worner played when the two teams last met in the opening game of the 2019-20 season and Welling had six players making their full debuts.

Scott Rendell had already had a free header saved by Murphy Mahoney in the Welling goal before the hosts went ahead in the seventh minute. Rendell’s strength in the air again proved too much for Welling and he found James Roberts who crashed it home off the inside of the post.

Rendell then diverted Joe Newton’s shot just wide before he won a free kick that Oscar Gobern blasted over.

Roberts had a shot saved by Mahoney before the Wings keeper made a double save first beating out Newton’s shot before getting back to claw out Rendell’s header. Havant were parked in Welling’s half at this stage and Newton should have done better with another shot.

However, Welling then started to show more attacking intent and Bradley Pearce got up well to meet Lyle Della-Verde’s free kick but was unable to keep his header down. Worner then had to be out sharply to smother Della-Verde’s surge forward so it was particularly disappointing for the Wings when they conceded again on the stroke of half time.

A long cross appeared to have evaded everyone and Welling switched off however Newton hooked it back and Rendell headed home unopposed.

Steve Lovell, the Welling manager, made a double change at the break and the change of formation almost paid dividends when Worner made a good save from Della-Verde.

Havant still continued to ask Welling plenty of questions and Tommy Wright’s long range shot came back off the post then Pearce headed Rendell’s header off the line.

Lucas Sinclair, playing against his former club, drew a save out of Worner before Mahoney turned Newton’s shot over.

Dipo Akinyemi turned Kai Brown’s low cross into the side netting before Havant added a third deep into injury time. Billy Clifford surged into the penalty area and fired into the top corner.

Next Saturday, Welling host Hungerford Town.

Havant and Waterlooville: Worner, Passley, Newton, Oastler, Gobern (Clifford 68), Roberts, McCarthy, Rooney, Rendell (Baggie 78), Adebowale, Wright (Wall 73). Unused substitutes: Green, Searle.

Goal scorers: Roberts (7), Rendell (45+1), Clifford (90+2)

Yellow cards: Roberts

Red cards: None

Welling United: Mahoney, Barnes, Ezennolim (O’Keefe 46), Stevenson, Pearce, Shokunbi (Sinclair 46), Biler, Durojaiye, Akinyemi, Della-Verde (Brown 82), Campbell. Unused substitutes: Ilic, Krabbendam.

Goal scorers: None

Yellow cards: Shokunbi, Campbell

Red cards: None

Referee: Ross Martin

Assistants: Paul Barber and Robert Finn

Attendance: 867

Images courtesy of Dave Budden