Going into the match, Welling United considered their game as a must win encounter.

However, after an even first half that they just about shaded they were second best after the break and crashed to a defeat that leaves them in a serious mess.

Their situation was not helped by the need to make a substitution after just four minutes. Michael Chambers took a knock that meant a very long and uncomfortable journey home. However, it did allow Kevin Lokko to return after his injury.

Noah Chesmain curled a free kick over the wall but a foot over the bar as well.

Marek Rodak then made an astonishing save at close range when Nathan Smith met Toby Ajala’s corner.

Both sides had long range shots on target before Nortei Nortey collected a loose clearance, took a step forward, then launched a shot from 25 yards that beat Dan Lavercombe but smashed the bar.

Further long range effort tested both goalkeepers before the break and Welling continued to play some pleasing to the eye football without creating clear cut opportunities.

After the interval, it all changed. Former Wing Toby Ajala brought a double save out of Rodak before Torquay broke the deadlock.

An inswinging corner caused mayhem inside the six yard box, but despite a couple of valiant efforts to keep it out, Smith was on hand to bundle home.

Once behind, Welling were up against it, and the second goal nine minutes later ensured that there was no way back.

Daniel Butler did well to get to the bye-line before crossing beyond Rodak for Iffy Allen to finish at the far post.

Nathan Blissett missed a couple of good chances to make matters worse as Welling suffered another bad defeat.

After the match, manager Dean Frost was not ready to concede that relegation is inevitable. “I really do believe you need a little bit of luck. You’ve seen a great strike by Nortey. You just want to see it go the other side of the crossbar and shave the crossbar as opposed to hitting the top of it.

“We need to hang to win a game as opposed to going 1-0 down and having to chase it. When you feel that, as a team, we haven’t got loads of goals in us, it’s always putting pressure on us as a team to keep clean sheets.”

On Saturday, Welling host Aldershot looking for the win that could start the recovery.

 

Torquay United: Laverscombe, Butler, Rees, MacDonald, Racchi, Harrad (Verma 84), Ajala (Allen 58), Richards, Blissett (Chaney 90), Smith, Berry.

Unused substitutes: Corderoy, Chaney, Gerring, Verma

 

Welling United: Rodak,Williams, Chesmain, Corne Chambers (Lokko 4), Gayle, Ferry (Wanadio 75), Nortey, Yussuf (Kabba 75), Adeloye, Harris.

Unused substitutes: McEntegart, Daniel.

 

Referee: C. Hicks

Assistants: S. Ogles and G. Parsons

4^th Official: A. Ricketts

Attendance: 1341

 

Welling star man: Sam Corne

Pictures supplied by Dave Budden.