Maidstone United came from behind to claim a comfortable victory against Welling United.

For the Stones, it was a fifth consecutive league victory. Things are less rosy for Welling. The defeat for them was their sixth loss in a row in all competitions.

Joan Luque caused problems for the Welling defence immediately. He cut in from the left but his shot from an acute angle clipped the outside of the near post on its way into the side netting.

Then, on the other wing, Chi Ezennolim slipped allowing Roarie Deacon in but goalkeeper Jack Sims held him up long enough and Ezennolim got back to clear off the line.

Arthur Penny threw his body into the line of fire to deflect Jermaine McGlashan’s shot over then Sims stopped a shot from Luque. 

After their slow start, Welling started to come into the game and from their first corner, they almost went ahead. Joe Muscatt delivered a deep corner that Kristian Campbell met with a header but Tom Hadler tipped it over.

Muscatt ran over to the other side and sent over another good delivery, Campbell knocked it back across goal and Dipo Akinyemi finished from close range.

As has so often the been case this season, Welling were unable to hold the lead for long enough to start putting pressure onto the hosts. Luque crossed and it fell to Deacon. Although his shot flew back out off the bar, it came out to Dominic Odusanya who rifled home from twenty yards.

Two minutes later, Maidstone went ahead when Deacon fired an unstoppable long distance shot into the bottom corner.

They then had to survive a strong penalty appeal when Joe Ellul raised his elbow to block Mason Saunders-Henry’s shot but only another corner was awarded.

Akinyemi shot wide for Welling then Luque did likewise for Maidstone at the other end. Sims kept another Luque shot out with his feet and Teddy Perkins cleared then the Wings went back on the attack and Muscatt picked out Akinyemi but his firm header was too straight and Hadler made a great save by tipping over.

Muscatt again caused problems when putting Saunders-Henry in but he could only clip it into the side netting before the Stones had the last effort of the first half when Luque created space for Odusanya but he shot straight at Sims.

Any hopes that Welling had of getting something out of the game were dashed five minutes into the second half when a long ball over the top from Ellul sent Jack Barham away. Sims rushed out, Barham lobbed him and it floated into the unguarded net.

Sims saved another Luque shot before the Stones finished the contest with a fourth. Barham had a miscued shot blocked and it came out to Gavin Hoyte who slotted home.

After that, it appeared to be a case of damaged liability for Welling as Maidstone caused further problems. Sam Corne came close to scoring against one of his former clubs when meeting a Deacon cross and heading back across goal but beyond the far post.

Deacon sent in a diagonal low cross that Odusanya could not divert home before Welling had their only real opportunity in the second period but substitute Danny Parish blasted his free kick well over.

Sims saved a one on one with Reece Grant and then used his feet to keep out a Corne effort. Deep into injury time, Sims made one last save, an easy one, when Grant deflected a Regan Booty shot into his arms.                  

Victory moved the Stones into second place in the table while Welling are peering anxiously over their shoulders.  

Maidstone United: Hadler, McGlashan, Hoyte, Odusanya (Phillips 88), Ellul, Fowler, Booty,  Corne, Deacon, Barham (Grant 73), Luque (Pattisson 86).

Subs not used: Gurung, Mersin. 

Goalscorers:  Odusanya (24), Deacon (26), Barham (50), Hoyte (63)

Yellow cards: Booty

Welling United: Sims, Statham, Ezennolim, Shokunbi, Perkins, Penney, Muscatt (Parish 67), Durojaiye, Akinyemi (Derry 67), Saunders-Henry, Campbell (Stevenson 73).

Subs not used: Barnes, Pearce.

Goalscorers:  Akinyemi (19)

Yellow cards: None

Referee: Dan Lampart

Assistants:  Kane Dempster and Jake Woodman

Attendance: 2,572

Pictures supplied by Dave Budden.