Two Andre Gray goals were enough for Luton Town to claim three hard earned points against Welling United.

Despite the part time v full time difference in status, Welling pushed their hosts hard and can consider themselves unfortunate to return home empty handed.

Ross Lafayette had the first proper effort of the match when firing over after Joe Healy found Baily Cargill in space and he laid the ball back to Welling’s leading goalscorer.

Shaun Whalley missed a fine chance for Luton when shooting wide of the near post before the hosts went ahead.

A Welling attack broke down and a long punt forward sent Gray away and to hold off his marker and give Lee Butcher no chance with a crisp finish.

After Whalley had shot well over from the right wing, Luton were indebted to goalkeeper Mark Tyler who made a brilliant save from Lafayette, and to Steve McNulty whose tackle stopped Lafayette from netting the loose ball.

Paul Benson shot wide for the Hatters when played in cleverly by Gray then Jake Gallagher miscued in front of goal for the Wings after great work by Kurtis Guthrie.

An entertaining half came to an end when Butcher made a spectacular save from Jim Stevenson’s firm downward header.

One second half minute was all that was needed for Welling to get themselves back into the game. A clear foul on Healy gave the referee no option but to point to the spot and, although Tyler guessed correctly to keep out Lafayette’s penalty, Alex Dyer was first to the rebound to finish clinically.

Tyler made another fine save from Lafayette and Dyer’s corner was headed wide by Blaine Hudson as Welling pulverised Luton for fifteen minutes.

Cargill, in his first game back for the Wings, put in a low cross that begged for someone to finish then Healy fired over after creating his own space.

Having survived the pressure, the hosts came back and Butcher saved well from both Benson and Gray before Luton took advantage of a short handed Welling team to go ahead.

Loui Fazakerley limped off injured and before Welling had a chance to bring on a replacement, Luton attacked down the vacant left wing and Gray finished from close range.

Gray burst through again but Butcher was out quickly before Fraser Franks shot over when Hudson knocked down Gallagher’s cross.

Substitute Kiernan Hughes-Mason was bundled over in the penalty area in injury time but the referee waved play on and when Benson looked to break away, Franks’ attempt to stop him was deemed to be a ‘professional foul’ and he was dismissed.

 

Luton: Tyler, McNulty, Lawless, Griffiths, Parry, Whalley (Guttridge 53), Henry, Benson, Gray, Stevenson (Robinson 63), Lacey:

Unused substitutes: Howells. Cullen, Justham.

Welling United: Butcher, Fazakerley (Hughes-Mason 79) , Bailey, Gallagher, Franks, Guthrie, Dyer, Clarke,  Lafayette, Healy.

Unused substitutes: Turner, Webb, Corne, Ekim.

Referee: B. Huxtable

Attendance: 6,592

Welling star man: Jake Gallagher

Pictures supplied by Dave Budden.