Maidstone United and Welling United played out an entertaining game at the Gallagher Stadium with the Wings claiming the spoils with a comeback win.

In the first half, there did not seem like two divisions between the clubs and the Stones probably shaded the forty five minutes and went in one up at the break.

However, Welling had the strength in depth to be the better side in the second half and claim a deserved victory.

Matt Bodkin was the star of the first half and created the first chance but Jay May headed wide.

Tom Mills then failed to hit the target having been set up by Charley Robertson but made amends at the other end when making a last ditch tackle on Malik Ouani who had controlled Malachi Hudson’s deep cross well.

Charlie Gorman fired over for Welling before May again missed the target following good work by Jack Parkinson and Bodkin.

One minute before the break, the hosts went ahead. Bodkin went on another run before firing in a shot that was blocked out to Dan Parkinson, and he fired home.

Lee Worgan made his first save of the match from Ouani on the stroke of half time.

A couple of changes were made at half time and there were constant substitutions throughout the second period including the introduction of 16 year old Joey Taylor by Welling

May and Robertson had goal attempts that were saved comfortably by Lee Butcher in between which Welling brought on Rod Young who was as influential in the second half as Bodkin was in the first.

Steve Watt headed over from a Jack Parkinson cross but the Stones’ attacks became scarcer as Welling upped the tempo.

Kieron St Aimie, who has now been signed to the Welling squad, burst through the central defence but couldn’t quite nudge home but the increasing pressure told when the Wings equalised in the 65^th minute.

Jamie Day whipped in a dangerous corner that caused havoc and the ball fell to Young on the edge of the box to fire home low off the prostrate Worgan.

Young then turned provider when sending Jake Gallagher through, but the Wings’ captain saw his shot defected narrowly wide.

Another run by Young gave him the opportunity to cut in and let fly with a left foot shot that smashed against the crossbar with Worgan well beaten.

At the other end, the impressive Jack Parkinson saw a shot from a Michael Phillips short free kick whistle past the post with the Welling goalkeeper stranded but after Young had another effort saved, the Wings claimed a 79^th minute winner.

Another teasing corner was only half cleared, and the lurking Zach Fagan gave Worgan no chance with a crisp effort into the roof of the net.

Maidstone came agonisingly close to saving their unbeaten pre-season record when May’s header from Phillips’ delivery came back off the post deep into stoppage time.

Maidstone United squad: Worgan, Butcher, Mills, Watt, Coyle, D. Parkinson, Bodkin, J. Parkinson, May, Robertson, Rogers, Simpson, Brown, Phillips, Smith, Miles, Harris, Collin, Woon, Godman.

Welling United squad: Butcher, Williams, Jefford, Gorman, Mersin, Bush, Ouani, Gallagher, St Aimie, Day, Hudson, Axor, Fazakerley, Beale, Corne, Parry, Fagan, Beautyman, Healy, Young, Taylor.

Referee: Paul Harris

Attendance: 520

Pictures supplied by Dave Budden.