Victory at promotion chasing Slough Town ended Welling United’s barren run.

Rod Stringer’s Wings were three up before the hosts pulled two back and applied pressure that Welling withstood well before celebrating three much needed points. 

Frances Amartey fired into the side netting early on for the Rebels however, it was the Wings who looked the more lively early on. Josh Redfearn, on full debut, did well to control it before threading Chiori Johnson through but Charlie Horlock got their first and saved at the Welling man’s feet.

Rhys Lovett, back after injury, made a similar save at the other end as David Ogbonna tried to break through before the dangerous Slough wide striker hit a cross-shot that the Wings’ custodian pushed away at full stretch.

Redfearn then marked his first start with a goal. Maxwell Statham played it in behind and Redfearn held off Dan Bayliss before firing confidently inside the far post.

Bayliss tried to respond but headed over from a Slough corner then Henry Ochieng fired well over from twenty yards. Josh Jackman did find the net for the hosts but his strike was disallowed for an earlier foul on Jack Burchell.

Shortly after the half hour mark, Welling scored again. Gene Kennedy’s shot was blocked and when it came back to him, he struck it cleanly, giving Horlock no chance.

Lovett made another good low save when Leon Chambers-Parillon met Armatey’s cross with a firm header before the Welling goalkeeper held on to another header, this time from Bayliss, just before half time.

Jeanmal Prosper drew a magnificent save out of Lovett early in the second period but it wouldn’t have counted as the Slough player was offside, and it was Welling who added to their tally six minutes after the break. Kennedy sent Johnson through and he took it away from Horlock before applying a cool finish.

Five minutes later, the hosts pulled one back. Lovett charged a shot out but a defender stumbled after stopping it dead. That allowed Slough’s leading goalscorer, Slavi Spasov, an opportunity and he made no mistake with a crisp shot.

Substitute Sam Evans drew an excellent save out of Lovett before Welling had a chance to add a fourth when Garrett Kelly’s driven cross was too strong for Kennedy to get on the end of it with the goal at his mercy. Slough raced straight to the other end and Evans was sent clear to slot home.

John Gilbert crossed for Amartey who shot over from close range then the Slough striker shot wide after forcing his way through. He was replaced by Gary Abisogun who had a shot deflected wide after a clever back-heel by Chambers-Parillon before he fired over after Gilbert caused Welling more difficulties.

Dan Roth, who had just come on, fouled Johnson and Bayliss earned a caution for kicking the ball angrily at the prone Welling player, then after Spasov had headed over, Bayliss again failed to keep his emotions under control and was shown a straight red card for a spiteful stamp on Kelly in stoppage time.

One last chance fell Slough’s way when Horlock went up for a corner. It was played into him but his shot flew out of the ground and into the trees behind the end.

Although Stringer wasn’t present, due to illness, the result will have given him a boost ahead of the Wings’ game at home to Tonbridge Angels on Tuesday evening.

Slough Town: Horlock, Jackman, Chambers-Parillon, Davies, Bayliss, Prosper, Gilbert, Ochieng (Roth 83), Spasov, Amartey (Abisogun 73), Ogbonna (Evans 54). Subs not used: Spicer, Hay.

Goalscorers: Spasov (58), Evans (67)

Yellow cards: Ochieng, Bayliss

Red card: Bayliss

Welling United: Lovett, Statham, Lankshear, Cornish (Grant 81), Burchell, Perkins, Johnson, Kelly, Redfearn (Chukwu 65), Kennedy (Wells 85), Osew. Sub not used: Taylor-Crossdale, Long.

Goalscorer: Redfearn (19), Kennedy (31), Johnson (51)

Yellow cards: Johnson, Cornish, Kennedy, Lovett, Chukwu, Kelly

Referee: Lisa Benn

Assistants: Simon Parbery and Gareth Burton

Fourth Official: Stuart Smith

Attendance: 805

Images courtesy of Dave Budden