Welling followed up their thrilling midweek victory over Forest Green Rovers with a competent win at Hyde.

Leading scorer Tom Collins was allowed space for Hyde early on but failed to hit the target with a curling shot.

Lee Clarke then came close for Welling when his header from Loui Fazakerley’s cross was tipped onto the post but Burnley goalkeeper Nick Liversedge, on loan at Hyde.

The Hyde offside trap frustrated Welling and the Tigers enjoyed a spell of possession but Fraser Franks and Blaine Hudson protected Lee Butcher and his goal superbly.

Clarke made a crucial block from Louis Almond, and when Butcher was called into action he was equal to the task in keeping out Almond’s cross, helped by a brave Franks tackle as Hughes followed up.

After 37 minutes, Welling went ahead when Jake Gallagher’s cross was met by Joe Healy who finished well.

A shaken Hyde could have suffered further when Clarke’s shot was touched home by an offside Ross Lafayette, then Hudson met a Fazakerley corner with a powerful header that went off target.

After a slow start to the second half, Liversedge was out quickly to save at the feet of Lafayette, then made a good save from Fazakerley.

Substitutes Kiernan Hughes-Mason and Loick Pires both tested him, the former at the near post and the latter with a shot that brought out a fantastic save.

It was expected that Hyde would throw everything at trying to gain a late point but Butcher was only called upon once, when saving superbly from Scott Spencer and Welling might have scored again from dangerous breaks in the last few minutes.

 

Hyde: Liversedge, Brizell, Griffin, Haining, Ashworth, Blakeman, Almond (McNiven 77), Brown, Dieseruvwe, Collins (Mainwaring 68), Hughes (Spencer 50).

Unused substitutes: Akrigg, Ledsham.

Welling United: Butcher, Fazakerley, Jack Obersteller, Gallagher, Franks. Hudson, Dyer, Clarke,  Guthrie (Hughes-Mason 66), Lafayette, Healy (Pires 80).

Unused substitutes: Turner, Joe Obersteller, Webb.

Referee: Darren England

Attendance: 427

Welling star man: Lee Clarke

Pictures supplied by Dave Budden.