After the events of the week that saw Manager Jamie Day and Football Consultant Ady Pennock leave the club, Welling United visited Hemel Hempstead Town.
Many wondered how the team would react under caretaker joint managers Tristan Lewis and Harry Wheeler. Unfortunately for Welling’s travelling supporters, the team put in a lack-lustre performance.
Their first decision was to replace Christian Nanetti with Dan Walker as a result of his late arrival.
They went behind in the seventh minute when former Ebbsfleet player Jordan Parkes curled a free kick round the wall and into the bottom corner.
Jake Robinson had the ball in the net but he was well offside before he finished.
George Oakley had a header tipped over as Welling enjoyed their best spell of the game.
Walker then headed over from close range from Adam Commbes’ cross and Rickie Hayles headed wide just before half time.
Robinson was unable to finish when Rohdell Graham’s effort was half cleared then his near post effort was well saved by Harry Girling.
Sean Francis headed wide from Sam Hatton’s free kick but Hemel Hempstead were soon pressing again and Robinson rounded Girling but Hayles got back to clear off the line.
Parkes had a free kick tipped over, then was high with another before Robinson finished Welling off with fifteen minutes remaining.
A mix up between Francis and Girling let him in and there was to be no escape for Welling this time.
Wheeler said afterwards “I thought it was a poor game. I thought the game in general was poor from both sides. I don’t think there was great quality out there.”
Hemel Hempstead Town: Butler, Diagne, Connolly, Parkes, Kaloczi, Greenidge, Amaluzor, Saunders, Robinson (Thalassitis 84), McNamara (Gordon 11), Mendy (Enver-Marum 82).
Subs not used: Thalassitis, Hayden.
Welling United: Girling, Fish, Brown, Hatton, Hayles, Francis, Walker (Joseph-Dubois 67), Waldren, Crawford (Williams 87), Coombes, Oakley (Nanetti 61).
Subs not used: Johnson, Fuseini.
Referee: Savvas Yianni
Assistants: Daniel Flynn and Craig Scriven
Attendance: 463
Welling star player: Jordan Brown
Pictures supplied by Dave Budden.