One goal in each half enabled Erith Town to take the honours in the Southern Counties East Football League Premier Division local derby match at Welling Town.

Both teams had their moments and there was no shortage of endeavour from either side but Erith had a little more quality and claimed the three points.

New Welling manager Darren Manning will have plenty of food for thought having seen his team for the first time. He will have noted that Erith’s goalkeeper, Jack Moore, was not called upon to make a save throughout the ninety minutes.

However, for Erith, it’s a different situation. Adam Woodward has built his squad over a few years and has also been able to recruit from a successful youth system and is now reaping the benefits.   

Early on, the Boots looked the livelier side but once the Dockers settled, they were rarely threatened. Daniel Palfrey had replaced Ryan Mahal, who injured himself when warming up, and it was he who created the first chance of the match with a superb long pass that sent Steadman Callendar away but  Ryan Coltress was out quickly to make a good block.

Taylor Robinson had a chance for the hosts but he sliced his side footed effort well off target before Coltress was again in action saving from Malik Nosike. Robinson turned creator when pulling back to Ryan Golding but his first time strike went wide.

Coltress made another good save from Palfrey but was left helpless when Sam Bailey gave him no chance with a great finish six minutes before the break.

James Miles shot over for the Boots early in the second period before Golding drifted past two tackles but fired over. However, Erith then took control and Alfie Eldridge collected a great pass from Bailey and turned his defender before curling wide.

Jude Jeffery then sent over a cross that Callendar met with an acrobatic volley but Coltress made a good save before Bailey came close with a long range shot that clattered the crossbar.

Callendar had another opportunity when a clearance ricocheted to him but his first time shot was saved before he shot wide following good work by Harry Gamble.

Jason Goodchild headed a Jeffrey free kick wide before the Dockers scored a second. Welling struggled to clear their lines and it came out to substitute Fred Obasa who rifled it home.

In injury time, Erith thought that they should have had a penalty and Woodward was so incensed on the sideline when it wasn’t awarded that he made one comment too many and got cautioned. However, the final whistle blew soon afterwards with the three points heading to Erith.

Welling Town: Coltress, Cave, Agbudume, Oni, Glover (Costa 13), Coleman, Robinson (Tabima 69), Miles, Golding (Scarborough 62), Nelson, Piro.

Subs not used: Adetokunbo, Tabima, Jimoh.

Goalscorers: None 

Yellow cards: Miles

Erith Town: Moore, Jeffery, Jonah, Nosike, Palfrey, McDonagh, Gamble, Goodchild, Callender (Odugunwa 90), Eldridge (Obasa 70), Bailey.

Subs not used: Power, Nash.

Goalscorers: Bailey (39), Obasa (78)

Yellow cards: Woodward

Referee: Kennedy Kikulwe

Assistants: Ryan Andrew and Matthew Sell

Attendance: 73

Pictures supplied by Rory Milner.