Its been a great start to the new decade for Hollands & Blair today as they picked up their third consecutive win by beating Welling Town at Star Meadow. 

However, it could’ve been a completely different result as Blair went down to ten men in the first half but a brilliant defensive showcase was able to hold Welling out.  

Welling got the game underway and grabbed the first chance of the game in the first minute after a heavy touch from Blair’s goalkeeper Adam Highsted fell to Joel Thompson but Thompson was flagged offside.

Blair then sent the ball flying up the field and grabbed a chance of their own straight away when the ball fell to Harry Kingdon. Kingdon made a lovely run down the right-hand side of the pitch and he finished it off with a cross into the box but it eluded everyone.

Welling could’ve grabbed a goal as a great ball into the box found the head of Adam O’Neill but he headed straight at Highsted.

Blair then took the lead in the 20th minute from a corner when Stuart West headed the ball down into the bottom corner to break the deadlock

Blair could’ve got another one in the 24^th minute when a great freekick into the box was glanced across the goalmouth. The ball fell to Ricky Freeman who got a shot off, but his shot was straight at Jack Moore in goal.

Moore then sent the ball up the field which gave Welling a great chance but Highsted was able to pull off a great save to stop the attack.

The games mood completely changed in the 39^th minute when goalscorer West brought down Hassan Oshilaja. West, who had already received a yellow card just seven minutes prior, knew exactly what he had done and was already heading towards the changing room as referee Ross Mortimer showed him the red.  

Welling started the second half well and nearly forced an equaliser just shy of the hour mark. O’Neill managed to find some space on the left-hand side of the box and tried to squeeze a ball in through the defence but Highsted  reacted well.

Blair thought they had grabbed a two goal cushion in the 64^th minute but thanks to some outstanding reflexes by Moore, Welling were able to stay in the game. A great freekick into the box fell to Freeman who brought the ball down and smashed an effort at goal , however, Moore was able to get down to the ball just in time and push it away from danger.  

Three minutes later, Thompson thought he had equalised for Welling. He tried to chip Highsted on the volley but Highsted was able to get a touch on the ball to prevent a goal.

Moore continued to keep Welling in the game when he saved from Freeman pulling off another exceptional save. 

In the dying embers of the game Welling had a fantastic chance to grab an equaliser. A throw in from the left-hand side of the box found a Welling head but nothing come of the shot.

Hollands & Blair: Adam Highsted, Harry Kingdon (Harrison Pont), Sam Welch, Connor Heffernan, Cameron Heffernan, Callum McGeehan (Captain), Stuart West, Louis Valencia, Ben Brown (Jack Simon), Ricky Freeman (Caleb Bearman-Dyce), Darren Cooper.  

Subs Not Used: Harry Goodger and Liam Stone  

Goal Scorer: Stuart West (20^th Minute) 

Welling Town: Jack Moore, Gary Beckett, Mason Baldwin (Tobi Ademiju), Peter Ojemen, Jack Bancroft (James Owolobi), Hassan Oshilaja, Chris Round (Captain), Jacob Smale, Joel Thompson, Adam O’Neill (Jesse Mansaray), Elyon Marshall-Katung. 

Subs Not Used: Jack Williams. 

Referee: Mr R Mortimer  

Assistants: Mr J Beadle and Mr A Butler

Attendance: 105