Derby honours went to Tonbridge Angels as they deepened Welling United’s Vanarama National League South relegation fears.

One goal in each half was sufficient for the hosts as they cruised to a relatively comfortable victory.

In the early stages, Welling appeared to have the bit between the teeth and put the Angels under pressure. A low cross by Harvey Walker was blocked out as far as Scott Kashket and his shot whistled just over.

Kashket then came even closer when his fierce drive was saved brilliantly by Matt Rowley who pushed it onto the bar and out for a corner. Kayden Davis then had an opportunity with a low shot that was blocked bravely by Jack Wood and it deflected over.

After that, Tonbridge started to look the more dangerous and Luca Botti seemed sure to score when he brought it down well but Sam Cornish got back superbly to nick it off his toe. Ethan Sutcliffe then gave Botti another opportunity and his shot went the wrong side of the near post.

Once more, Botti got the better of the Welling defence when rising to reach a Mikey Berry cross with a header that went wide before the Angels went ahead. Sutcliffe got down the right and was tripped in the penalty area by Riccardo Di Trolio and a spot kick was awarded. Liam Vincent, who had scored a brace at Welling in their first meeting, stepped up and whacked it straight down the middle.

Hoping for a quick response, a Welling short corner gave Cornish the chance to float in an inviting cross but nobody showed the desire to get on the end of it. Both teams then had headers that went wide from corners, Jamie Fielding for the hosts from a Sean Shields delivery, and Di Trolio from Walker’s.

Ronny Nelson had the last chance of the half with a shot that whistled just over after Vincent’s cross was knocked into his path.

After the half time break, Lovett made an excellent save from a low shot by Shields before Tonbridge made it two. Botti lost his man and powered home an unstoppable header.

Sahid Kamara was one of five substitutes brought on by Welling manager Rod Stringer, and he tried his luck from distance that drew a save out of Rowley then another Welling replacement, Martell Taylor-Crossdale, hit a free kick into the side netting.

As the game entered the final stages, the hosts looked for a third. Bailey Akehurst side footed just wide after good work by Christie Ward before Shields had the last chance when he cut in and fired over.

Three points for the Angels moved them up to ninth in the league table, nine points outside the play-offs, whilst Welling remained outside the bottom four only on goal difference.

Tonbridge Angels: Rowley, Sutcliffe, Vincent, Berry, Fielding, Nelson, Ward, Shields, Wood (Akehurst 83), Botti, Bakrin (Maloney 73).

Subs not used: Lema, Parkinson, Richardson.

Goalscorers: Vincent pen (38), Botti  (59)

Yellow card: Ward (81 time wasting) 

Welling United: Lovett, Quick, Di Trolio, Cornish (Statham 70), Burchell, Winfield, H. Walker (Bramble 61), Kelly, Moore (Redfearn 70), Kashket (Taylor-Crossdale 70), Davis (Kamara 70).

Subs not used: None.

Goalscorers: None

Yellow card: Kelly (52 foul)

Referee: Ben Robinson

Assistants: Christopher Stobart and David Payne

Fourth Official: Harry Wood

Attendance: 727

Pictures supplied by Dave Budden.