Having been two-nil down at half time, it looked unlikely that Welling United would come back from Hemel Hempstead with much.

However, an explosive first ten minutes of the second half turned the game around and, despite playing the last twenty-five minutes with ten men, the Wings claimed a hard won three points.

They could not have got off to a worst start. In just the second minute, Hemel went ahead. Dara Dada set up Ogo Obi whose shot flew out off the post. It fell into the path of Josh Castiglione, and he made no mistake from close range.

Shaken Welling might have conceded again moments later. Their defence got dragged out of position giving Obi a clean sight of goal, but he skied over.

After that, Welling settled and started to stamp their authority on the game. Taylor Maloney combined with Stefan Payne and received it back to let fly but Craig King dived to his right to push the shot away.

Ade Azeez then broke away powerfully, but his drive was directed wide for a corner before Rob Howard crossed to Manny Parry, however his header had too much loop to bother King.

Maloney then tried his luck with a free kick, but it clipped the defensive wall and landed on the roof of the net.

Ashley Nzala created the next opening which required Hemel defenders to throw their bodies on the line to block efforts from Tyrique Hyde and Maloney. Tom Dickens then picked out Payne who sent Azeez away, but his angled drive flew just beyond the far post.

Kory Roberts poked wide for the hosts before Taofiq Olomowewe headed over from a Howard cross.

In first half injury time, the Tudors doubled their lead. Obi burst into the penalty area and Olomowewe mistimed his tackle and brought him down. Jordan Greenidge took the responsibility and sent Myles Roberts the wrong way.

Warren Feeney responded by making a double change at the break, bringing on Amadou Kassarate and Anthony Papadopoulos.

Less than five minutes into the second half, Welling were back in the game. They won a corner and before Maloney could take it, the referee had a long talk with the Hemel defenders about grabbing and shirt pulling. They didn’t heed the warning, Josh Lelan hauled down Olomowewe and the referee pointed to the spot. Payne stepped up and opened his Welling account with a confident finish.

Four minutes later, Howard crossed, Payne knocked it down and Papadopoulos gave King no chance with a crisp shot. One minute after that, the turnaround was complete. Maloney crossed to the near post and Payne flicked it beyond a helpless King.

Roberts picked up what was deemed to be a back pass and an indirect free kick was awarded.

Although the touch and attempt was blocked down by the Welling wall, it fell into the path of Dada, but his shot was claimed comfortably by the Wings’ goalkeeper.

Twenty second half minutes had passed before Welling made their task that bit more difficult. Olomowewe made a rash challenge on Greenidge in a non-threatening position and was shown a red card.

Despite having a numerical advantage for twenty-five minutes, the Tudors made very few opportunities. Lelan shot wide of the near post then Craig Fasanmade’s flicked header from Cole Dasilva’s free kick went wide.

It was not all one sided and Azeez turned his former Dartford team-mate Roberts, and his near post shot brought a good save out of King.

As the game became more stretched, Charlee Hughes burst down the wing but shot over before Fasanmade drew a save out of Roberts.

King then made a stunning save when tipping James Dunne’s shot over. Fasanmade shot across the face of goal and Hemel had one last chance, but Roberts made an excellent save from Alfie Williams.

Feeney will now have the week to prepare his confident squad for the two games over the August Bank Holiday weekend.

Hemel Hempstead Town: King, Dasilva, Westbrook, Poku, Lelan, Roberts, Dada (Fasanmade 76), Brown, Greenidge, Obi (Hughes 67), Castiglione (Williams 80).

Subs not used: Webb, Hope.

Goalscorers: Castiglione (2), Greenidge pen (45+1)

Yellow cards: Lelan, Brown

Welling United: Roberts, Howard, Dickens, Dunne, Olomowewe, Parry, Nzala (Papadopoulos 46), Hyde (Kassarate 46), Azeez, Payne, Maloney.

Sub not used: Jackson, Elito, Francis.

Goalscorers: Payne pen (50) (55), Papadopoulos (54)

Yellow cards: Maloney, Papadopoulos

Red card: Olomowewe

Referee: Ruebyn Ricardo

Assistants: Gareth Burton and Simon Parbery

Attendance: 457

Pictures supplied by Dave Budden.