First half defensive difficulties proved costly as Welling United ended their pre-season campaign with a defeat.

They entertained National League Sutton United, who have hopes of an immediate bounce back to the Football League. Although the Wings were beaten, the scoreline was a little harsh on Rod Stringer’s team.

It was a far from ideal start for Welling when they went behind in the sixth minute from a well struck Dillon De Silva effort from outside the penalty area.

Will Davies had an effort that dribbled wide before Lewis Simper floated a header over after a corner was half cleared. Nana Boateng came closer with a header that was tipped over by Welling goalkeeper Rhys Lovett.

Eleven minutes after going ahead, Sutton doubled their lead when Boateng created space for Eduino Vaz and Siju Odelusi got on the end of it to nod home from close range.

At two down, Welling came alive and Martell Taylor-Crossdale went close with a shot that was pushed round the post by Steve Arnold. Harvey Walker then caught Ryan Jackson in possession and poked it to Taylor-Crossdale. He squared to TJ Bramble whose shot beat Arnold but struck the post.

Walker then struck a free kick that hit the post and came out causing a goalmouth scramble. Twice Sutton cleared it off the line before they got it away.

Having survived those chances, Sutton went back on the attack after Welling gave it away and Simper arrived late but headed over. However, he was again involved when the visitors added a third ten minutes before half time. His blocked shot fell kindly to Jayden Harris and he slotted home.

As the interval approached, Walker’s afternoon came to an end when he went down and needed attention from both team’s physios before being stretchered off to be taken to hospital for further treatment.

After the break Vaz had a long range shot saved comfortably by Lovett but, in the main, the two teams cancelled each other before a succession of changes further disrupted the momentum of the game.

Ryan Jackson shot well over before Gene Kennedy slid Reece Grant in and his quick low shot was well saved by Arnold. Sutton’s goalkeeper made another good save when having to adjust after Kennedy’s free kick took a deflection.

One last half chance went Sutton’s way when Ashley Nadesan tried an audacious lob from out wide but it floated well over.

Welling United: Lovett, Johnson (Chukwu 59), H. Walker (Andrews 45+2), Burchell, Trialist, Wells, Cornish (Munns 71), Kennedy, Taylor-Crossdale (R. Grant 71), Bramble, Z. Walker (Long 59). Sub not used: Pitterson, Borg.

Goalscorers: None

Yellow card: Bramble

Sutton United: Arnold, Jackson, French, Muller, Vaz, Simper, Odelusi, Harris (Wadham 78), Boateng (Coley 63), Davies (Nadesan 63), De Silva (Sivi 63). Subs not used: Sims, Waller, Ransom, Williams, Rush.

Goalscorers: De Silva (6), Odelusi (17), Harris (35)

Yellow cards: Harris, Coley

Images courtesy of Dave Budden