Going into the match at St. Albans City, Welling United had won nine games in ten, and in the last nine, the back four were unchanged.
However, at St Albans two of that back four were injured and unavailable. Sean Francis didn’t travel due to a hamstring strain but Jordon Brown was named in the starting line up and only pulled up with a stiffening knee following a knock against Oxford.
Danny Waldren knew that he would be dropping back to cover for Francis, with Ali Fuseini filling in to his place in midfield. However, Archie Johnson had little time to prepare as he was thrown in at left back.
Ian Allinson, St. Albans manager, clearly targeted the left back area and Johnson was quickly into the action making tackles and winning headers to settle whatever nerves he might have had.
Sam Merson was the first to try his luck for the hosts but Chris Lewington made a fine save.
After fifteen minutes, they broke the deadlock, when Charlie Walker’s shot from Louis Theophanous’ cross appeared to be deflected past Lewington.
Four minutes later it became two when Theophanous’ cross was half cleared into the path of Walker and he thrashed home.
Walker had another effort deflected wide with the defence at sixes and sevens before Ben Martin headed wide from the corner that followed.
Finally, Welling had a goal attempt of note but Adam Coombes’ shot was deflected beyond the post.
Theophanous got beyond the defence again but Lewington gave him little to aim at and kept out his effort with his boot.
On 40 minutes Welling pulled one back when Christian Nanetti, himself a pre match doubt with a fever, showed his tenacity to fire across James Russell and inside the far post.
Harry Crawford netted for Welling immediately after the break but his joy was short lived when he realised the goal would not stand due to an offside.
Merson then went for the spectacular with a bicycle kick from another Theophanous cross before Welling’s best move of the match ended when Coombes fired over after making space for himself.
The Saints regained their two goal advantage and Theophanouss was again the architect. He fired in a cross shot that Lewington appeared to have covered before the unfortunate Matt Fish diverted it in.
41 year old Jamie Cureton then came on for St Albans as they looked to ease to victory.
Fuseini went close for Welling before they netted a last minute of stoppage time consolation goal when Coombes rounded Russell before slotting home.
Caretaker managers Tristan Lewis and Harry Wheeler will be hoping that the injuries clear up before they entertain Lincoln City on Saturday.
Welling United: Lewington, Fish, Johnson, Hatton, Hayles, Waldron, Nanetti (Slabber 83), Fuseini, Crawford (Williams 90), Coombes, Joseph-Dubois (Walker 69).
Subs not used: Agu.
St. Albans City: Russell, Herd, Bender, Lucien (Casey 90+), Gardiner, Martin, Theophanous, Thomas, Walker (Montgomery 85), Merson (Cureton 82), Noble.
Subs not used: Chappell, Saville.
Welling United:
Goalscorers : Nanetti, Coombes
Yellow cards: None
St. Albans City
Goalscorers: Walker 2, Fish o.g.
Yellow cards: Herd, Noble, Bender
Referee: Robert Masey
Assistants: Alex Rayment and Michael Smith
Attendance: 397
Man of the match: Christian Nanetti
Pictures supplied by Dave Budden.