Defeat at Salisbury ended Welling United’s four game Vanarama National League South unbeaten run.
In the first half the Wings played into a strong wind and tried to contain their hosts. Jaden Perez had an opportunity early on when played in by former Ebbsfleet United defender Sido Jombati only to fire over when well placed.
Despite that, Salisbury didn’t look like causing problems until they went ahead with the help of some average officiating. Ronan Silva appeared to be a good five yards offside when a long pass forward was played ahead of him but the assistant referee was caught out of position and failed to flag allowing him to play Noah Copping in for an easy finish.
Perez had a free kick claimed easily by Welling goalkeeper Rhys Lovett, however Welling weren’t really threatened after that in the first half and had an opportunity to level late on when Dave Winfield met a deep Sam Cornish corner but missed the target with his header.
After the interval, Welling looked more dangerous and Martell Taylor-Crossdale robbed a defender to get clear and his fierce shot was blocked by Salisbury goalkeeper, and former Kent cricketer, Dan Lincoln. Although it came back to the Welling man, it was at pace and he couldn’t avoid it from striking his arm.
Gene Kennedy sent in a low cross that TJ Bramble diverted wide of the near post and the same combination came close when Bramble was twice thwarted by desperate blocks by Salisbury defenders before it came out to Zain Walker whose first time effort flashed wide,
Theo Alexandrou was introduced for his Welling debut and had a shot deflected wide then Jack Burchell headed the wrong side of the near post from a Sam Cornish corner.
Against the run of play, Salisbury increased their lead with just over twenty minute remaining. Jordan Ragguette played a one-two with Perez before cutting in and picking his spot with a shot inside the far post.
Four minutes later, Welling pulled one back when Alexandrou was tumbled in the penalty area. Kennedy took the responsibility and made no mistake from the spot.
Callum Watts shot wide for the hosts before they made sure of their win two minutes before full time. Having just come on, Anthony Grant was turned in the penalty area and tried to make amends with a tackle on Perez, However he failed to connect with the ball and tripped the Whites’ man. Coppin stepped up and converted.
That proved to be the last chance of the match and Welling were left on the wrong end of an unjust scoreline.
Salisbury: Lincoln, Jombati, Ragguette, Leggett, Wilkinson, Sommerton, Coxe (Franklin 89), Watts, Silva (Elliott-Wheeler 75), Coppin, Perez. Subs not used: Carroll, Lewis, Dore.
Goalscorer: Coppin (17), pen (88). Ragguette (69)
Yellow cards: Silva, Coxe, Elliott-Wheeler
Welling United: Lovett, Statham (Martin 89), Lankshear, Cornish, Burchell, Winfield (Johnson 71), Walker, Kennedy, Redfearn, Bramble (Grant 86) , Taylor-Crossdale (Alexandrou 62). Sub not used: Perkins.
Goalscorers: Kennedy pen (74)
Yellow card: Lovett, Bramble, Winfield
Referee: Liam Corbett
Assistants: Kieran Bailey and Luke McFarlane
Fourth Official: Daniel Austin
Attendance: 850
Images courtesy of Dave Budden