In miserable weather conditions, Aaron Blair scored the only goal as Maidstone United defeated Welling United in a Vanarama National League South New Year’s Day derby.

Although the Stones had announced the departures of three important players leading up to the match, their strength in depth came to the fore. 

They had an early half chance when George Fowler pulled it back and Sol Wanjau-Smith tried a fancy back-heel but he was unable to get sufficient purchase on it and Welling goalkeeper Rhys Lovett tidied up.

Sam Cornish sent a long cross-field pass to Dan Martin on the left hand side and his centre found Josh Redfearn fifteen yards out. He headed goalwards and it was the Stones’ stopper, Alexis Andre Jr.’s turn to save comfortably.

Charlie Seaman crossed for the hosts and Alex Lankshear did well to turn it over his own bar before his central defensive partner, Dave Winfield, was happy to put the ball out for another corner after Ben Brookes’ initial delivery caused problems in the Welling penalty area.

Blair then had a couple of opportunities, first firing over from Seaman’s through ball, then he got in behind the Wings’ defence and his shot was beaten out by Lovett before the Stones’ striker fired his follow-up into the side netting.

Gene Kennedy had a chance for the visitors when Welling were awarded a free kick twenty-five yards out. His effort was cleanly struck, however Andre Jr. was well placed and saved comfortably.

As half time approached, Blair used his trickery to get a clear sight of goal only to drag his shot beyond the far post. 

After the half time break, Seaman sent in a low cross-shot that Tayt Trusty dummied cleverly and Lovett had to be alert to turn it away. The Welling goalkeeper was again called into action to make a great save from a crisp strike by Fowler before Seaman had a shot blocked bravely by Max Statham.

Just over twenty minutes remained when Maidstone broke Welling’s resistance. Another Brookes corner picked out Temi Eweka whose close range header was saved brilliantly by Lovett. It was tough on the Wings’ goalkeeper when it flew straight into the path of Blair who headed home from close range.

Although Welling made changes to try and find a little more thrust up front, the Stones were happy to sit on what they had and to try and hit the visitors on the break.

Wanjau-Smith had one last chance for Maidstone when he curled a shot over from the edge of the penalty area much to the relief of Lovett, who had lost his footing on the slippery artificial surface.

Victory for the Stones kept them in third place, two points off the top of the table, while Welling’s buffer between them and the bottom four was reduced to seven points. 

Maidstone United: Andre Jr, Fowler, Brookes, Higgs, Eweka, Greenidge, Court (Corne 72). Trusty, Blair, Wanjau-Smith (Coulthirst 88), Seaman.

Subs not used: Holden, Brown, Gurung.

Goalscorer: Blair (69)

Yellow cards: Greenidge (4), Eweka (59), Corne (90+2)

Welling United: Lovett, Statham (Donkor 88), Di Trolio, Cornish, Winfield, Lankshear, Johnson (Alexandrou 74), Kennedy, Redfearn, Bramble (Andrews 88), Martin (Walker 74).

Sub not used: Grant.

Goalscorers: None

Yellow cards: Statham (56), Kennedy (61), Martin (62)

Referee: Nathan Oakes

Assistants: Matt Rowley and Joshua Williams

Fourth Official: Steven Goldup

Attendance: 2,750 including 284 away supporters

Pictures supplied by Dave Budden.