One goal separated the two teams when Dartford claimed the local derby bragging rights against Welling United in front of just over two thousand spectators.

Chances were at a premium, especially in the first half, as two out-of-form teams struggled to create openings. Moussa Diarra headed Luke Coulson’s cross goalwards but without any power and Reice Charles-Cook claimed it easily. George Alexander then pulled back to Coulson who rushed his shot and fired over.

Anthony Grant got forward for Welling and crossed to the near post however it came in at an awkward height for Kain Adom and he could only knock it over with his knee. Kain then had Welling’s first shot on target, a long range effort that Ryan Sandford claimed comfortably.

Coulson intercepted a poor pass out and cut in and shot over when a better option might have been to square it before Welling had a half chance when Cameron Green picked out Jephte Tanga and his shot was deflected over. Green’s corner then fell to Grant but he scuffed it wide.

After the interval, Paul Rooney’s overhead kick floated harmlessly into the arms of Charles-Cook on the bounce before George Alexander burst through and looked certain to open the scoring until TJ Bramble got across to make a brilliant last ditch tackle.

Just before the hour mark, the visitors scored the crucial goal. Lachlan Byrd’s attempted back-header to Charles-Cook was under-hit allowing Alexander to burst through. Although the Welling goalkeeper got down well to make an excellent save, Richard Chin was following up and forced it home.

Rooney then flicked Coulson’s through ball into the arms of Charles-Cook before Dominic Odusanya drew an excellent save out of Sandford who tipped his powerful drive over. Adom shot wide for Welling then Coulson’s shot was saved by Charles-Cook.

Adom fired beyond the far post before Welling went close again when Antony Papadopoulos’ near post shot came back out off the near post.

Alexander had a shot deflected for the visitors then Enoch Muwonge came on as a late substitute for Welling and made an immediate impact. His shot was blocked out to Green who fired wide, before he made another opportunity for himself but pulled it wide of the near post.

Sandford saved from Papadopoulos deep into injury time before the referee brought the contest to a close.

Victory for Dartford moved them into mid-table, however, Welling’s defeat left them eight points adrift of twentieth place and Vanarama National League South safety. 

Welling United: Charles-Cook, Lema, Green, Grant (Muwonge 85), Bramble, Byrd, Tanga (Roscrow 71), Odusanya, Abrahams, Chambers (Papadopoulos 58), Adom.

Subs not used: Curran, Orji.

Goalscorers: None

Yellow card: None

Dartford: Sandford, Statham, Odaudu, Rooney (Wynter 80), Diarra, Nembhard, Coulson, Allen, Alexander (Bradbury 80), Chin, Miler-Rodney.

Subs not used: Wall, Manor, Box.

Goalscorers: Chin (57)

Yellow cards: Chin, Roponey, Diarra, Odaudu, Miller-Rodney

Referee: Eugene Robinson

Assistants: Billy Woods and Daniel Doyle

Attendance: 2,014 

Pictures supplied by Dave Budden.