League leaders Wealdstone were victorious at Welling United but they may have wondered how they did it.

Although Welling were the better team, two goals in ten second half minutes put Wealdstone in the driving seat, Welling pulled one back through Adam Coombes and might have levelled in injury time. 

Aston Oxborough, Wealdstone’s goalkeeper on loan from Norwich City, made some outstanding saves to claim the three points for his team.

After former Wing Ross Lafayette had a free-kick read and saved by Dan Wilks, Oxborough made his first save, a brilliant one pushing wide a strong header from Adam Coombes’ header.

Lafayette missed an excellent chance when blasting over when well placed before Bradley Goldberg brought down a long ball but shot straight at Oxbourogh then the Norwich City loanee did well to tip over from Anthony Cook’s shot.

Theo Widdrington, on debut, screwed wide having been found by Gavin McCallum before having a shot deflected wide,

Coombes fired over from Joe Anderson’s cross before glancing a header wide just before the break.

Jacob Mendy shot well over early in the second half before Gavin McCallum did likewise at the other end. 

Widdrington then came desperately close to putting Welling ahead when his shot flew back off the post but it was the Stones who broke the deadlock soon after. A deep corner found an unmarked Michael Phillips and he hardly had to jump to head home.

Danny Green then brought a good low save out of Dan Wilks before Wealdstone scored again. Welling were cut open by a quick passing move and Dennon Lewis collected before slotting home.

To their credit, Welling didn’t crumble and pulled one back with five minutes remaining. Coombes was hauled down in the penalty area and smashed home from the spot via the underside of the bar.

Nathan Green had a great chance to level when heading wide from a corner before Welling had a gilt edge chance in injury time. Jack Jebb’s clever flick gave Coombes space to put in a diagonal ball behind the back four to send Aaron Cosgrave clean through but Oxborough was out quickly to make the points winning block.

Welling United: Wilks, Rich-Baghuelou, Anderson, Widdrington (Jebb 80), Swaine, Okosieme, Cook, Agyemang, Goldberg (Cosgrave 71), Coombes, McCallum (Green 59).

Subs not used: Rooney, Oyinsan.

Goalscorers: Coombes pen (85)

Yellow cards: Rich-Baghuelou

Wealdstone: Oxborough, Arnold, Efete. Clifford (Sheppard 80), Stevens, Okimo, Phillips, Mendy (Smith 59), Lafayette, Green, Lewis.

Subs not used: Roberts, North, Watt.

Goalscorers: Phillips (68), Lewis (78)

Yellow cards: Smith

Referee: Rob Whitton

Assistants: Christopher Horsman and Ayrton Hursey

Attendance: 594

Pictures supplied by Dave Budden.