Following a weekend with no game, Welling United arranged a friendly at Holmesdale in an effort to be match sharp for their next Vanarama National League South match.

It also gave them a chance to give Tom Bradbrook a run out following his injury and he showed that he was well on the way to recovery with a first half hat-trick.

He had an early chance but fired wide before Dillon Phillips made a good save as Holmesdale showed that they weren’t going to lie down.

Eli Phipps had a shot saved by Adam Highsted before Welling went ahead in the tenth minute. Jack Jebb delivered a free kick that Bradbrook met at the near post giving Highsted no chance.

Another Phipps shot was saved before Welling doubled their lead just shy of the half hour mark. Jeffrey Monakana was the provider and Bradbrook again gave Highsted no chance.

Monakana and Bradbrook again combined well but this time former Welling goalkeeper, Highsted, made a great save.

He then watched a first time Jebb shot fly over before making a good save from Monakana.

However, he was beaten again shortly before the break when Monakana’s slide rule pass sent Bradbrook clear and he slipped it beyond the keeper.

Bradbrook headed wide from Ben Jefford’s cross just before the break upon which his work was done.

Florent Bojaj and Christie Pattisson came on for Welling at the break while Holmesdale made a number of changes.

Both substitutes were involved in Welling’s fourth. Jefford crossed, Bojaj knocked it back, and Pattisson fired home.

Another substitute, Archie Johnson, was twice involved in the build up for the fifth goal Christian Nanetti received his pass before being tripped in the penalty area. Olumide Durojaiye stepped up and blasted it high into the net.

Nanetti came close to making it six when his shot was tipped onto the bar late on.

Welling United: Barnes, Dymond, Jefford, Durojaiye, Francis, Parkinson, Monakana, Jebb, Bradbrook, Phipps E, Nanetti. Subs included: Johnson, Bojaj, Pattisson.

There is another game for Welling on Thursday night when they visit Corinthian Casuals in the London Senior Cup. Johnson is expected to play and both Bojaj and Pattisson may be involved.

A lot of the players will be first year academy lads as the older age group will be at Folkestone Invicta in the F.A. Youth Cup.

Images courtesy of Dave Budden