Welling’s fine start to the season was interrupted with an unlucky defeat at Hereford United.

Having been the better side in the first half, failure to cap it off with a goal proved decisive as Hereford took the lead early in the second half.

Now needing to chase the game Welling were hit by a sucker punch second with eleven minutes remaining, and when they did pull one back there was no time left to go for an equaliser.

Loick Pires drew an early foul by Rod McDonald and Jack Obersteller’s teasing free kick was well saved by Rhys Evans.

Michael West’s ambitious effort for Hereford sailed harmlessly wide but it was Welling who created the better openings.

Joe Healy tried to lift the ball over the onrushing Evans but the goalkeeper made himself large and kept out the effort.

That opportunity was set up by a superb Ross Lafayette pass and it was he who had the Wings’ next two attempts. First he had a good shot pushed wide by Evans at the expense of a corner and then he fired over from 25 yards.

Alex Dyer and Healy combined to allow Lee Clarke a shot at goal but Evans was equal to it. Then Doug Bergqvist’s effort flew well over as it seemed just a matter of time before Welling opened the scoring.

Lee Butcher’s only scare in the Welling goal came from an awkward back pass but he remained calm and passed out to safety.

Evans failed to hold onto a cross just before half time but Clarke lobbed over after Healy had played it back into the penalty area.

Dyer’s free kick early in the second half found Bergqvist but his header was pushed round the post by Evans before Hereford went ahead against the run of play.

Sam Smith crossed and Chris Sharp managed to get in front of Butcher to head home from close range.

Pires had a shot tipped round the post and Clarke headed over from a Bergqvist cross as Welling searched for an equaliser.

Hereford looked dangerous on the break, however, and when a good Welling move broke down, Smith raced away and had a shot deflected wide. West’s corner was met by the head of Collins but he was unable to keep his effort down.

Jake Gallagher was too quick for everyone when racing to the bye-line before rolling the ball along the goal line from a tight angle with nobody able to keep up and tap home.

Two Hereford substitutes were involved in the decisive second goal. Frankie Artus saw his shot well saved by Butcher but only Michael Rankine reacted and he finished with ease.

There was still time for Welling to create a couple of half chances before scoring a consolation goal in the last minute of extra time. Evans made a miraculous save to claw out a Healy header but the Wings’ man followed up with another goal-bound header that was flicked home by the head of Lafayette.

 

Hereford United: Evans, Bush, McDonald, Graham, Purdie, Walker, Sharp (Rankine 75), Smith, Collins, West (Artus 75), Green.

Unused substitutes: Brown, Gwynne, Harris.

Welling United: Butcher, Bergqvist, Jack Obersteller, Gallagher, Franks. Hudson, Dyer, Clarke, Pires (Hughes-Mason 75), Lafayette, Healy.

Unused substitutes: Turner, Joe Obersteller, Day.

Referee: Simon Bennett

Attendance: 1.527

Welling star man: Jake Gallagher

Pictures supplied by Dave Budden.