When visiting full time league leaders Torquay United, Welling United more than held their own before falling to defeat in the Vanarama National League South.
Despite falling behind in the third minute, the Wings weren’t troubled again too much 9in the first half and took the game to the hosts in the second period, levelling deservedly. They then conceded against the run of play in the last fifteen minutes and a third goal late on flattered Torquay.
Jordan Dyer put Torquay ahead when meeting Jordan Young’s free kick from a questionable free kick award and Welling’s task wasn’t helped four minutes later when an off the ball incident left Sam Cornish flattened and unable to continue. He was replaced by Zain Walker.
Sam Dreyer had a shot blocked out by Welling goalkeeper Dylan Berry before Cody Cooke gave Young a shooting opportunity that he skied high and wide.
At the other end, a deep Daniel Martin free kick picked out Riccardo Di Trolio whose header back across goal was intercepted by Torquay goalkeeper James Hamon. Young then got in behind but Welling defended it well at the cost of a corner before Dan Hayfield got on the end of a training ground routine but wasted it when firing over.
Shortly before half time Cooke headed over from inside the area after a deflected cross-cum-shot ballooned to him.
After the break, Welling changed their shape and created problems. Josh Redfearn crossed deep to Maxwell Statham who cushioned his header back to Gene Kennedy. The Wings midfielder hit his shot sweetly but Hamon was equal to it with an acrobatic tip over.
Soon after, Welling equalised. Kennedy found Statham and his whipped in cross picked out TJ Bramble who rose high to head home.
Although, Welling continued to enjoy the better of the possession, they could not create clear cut openings and paid for it when conceding against the run of play with fourteen minutes remaining. Bramble was caught in two minds and lost possession allowing the Gulls to break. They won a corner that was cleared but recycled and Matt Carson’s cross was forced home by Dyer.
Immediately, Welling came back and won a corner of their own. Daniel Martin delivered, Dave Winfield headed it back across and Di Trolio arrived but could only nod it over.
One minute remained when Torquay added a third to give the scoreline a false look. Di Trolio appeared to lose his footing as he attempted to head it back to Berry and Cooke took full advantage when firing home.
Rod Stringer will now have to check his walking wounded before selecting his team when they return to action on Tuesday night, hosting Hampton and Richmond Borough.
Torquay United: Hamon, Craske, Moxey (Carson 60), Threklfeld, Dyer, Dreyer, Young (Palmer 86). Hayfield, Cooke, Jenkins-Davies (Mussa 67), Morgan (Wood 67). Sub not used: Husani.
Goalscorers: Dyer (3), (76), Cooke (89)
Yellow card: Hayfield (81 foul)
Welling United: Berry, Johnson, Martin, Statham (Alexandrou 84), Winfield, Di Trolio, Kennedy, Grant (Kamara 84), Redfearn, Bramble, Cornish (Walker 7). Subs not used: Burchell, Taylor-
Crossdale.
Goalscorer: Bramble (56)
Yellow cards: Kennedy (30 foul), Walker (41 foul), Johnson (73 delay of restart)
Referee: Harrison Blair
Assistants: Paul Collier and John Duffy
Fourth Official: Martin Bloor
Attendance: 3,794 including 29 away supporters
Images courtesy of Dave Budden