Although they had to remain patient, Welling United were good value for their victory against Billericay Town.

They had to wait until nine minutes from time before breaking the deadlock but when Aaron Barnes struck from close range there was to be no come back.

Former Wing, Rowan Liburd, had the first shot on goal but he fired well over. At the other end, Che Krabbendam’s skills allowed him to find Dipo Akinyemi and he moved it on to Danny Parish but he couldn’t get any power in his shot and Bailey Vose saved easily.

Parish was again in action creating space for himself but his shot went wide of the near post before Kristian Campbell spotted Vose out of position and tried his luck from ten yards inside his own half but was unable to find the target.

Charlie Lee shot wide of the far post after Welling failed to clear but it was Welling who had the last chance of the half when Krabbendam’s free kick clipped the bar.

Early in the second half Akinyemi sent in a dangerous low cross but Barnes was unable to squeeze it home at the far post then Vose dropped a Welling corner but got away with it as Welling couldn’t force it home.

Olumide Durojaiye shot over from a half cleared Campbell throw in before a rare Billericay raid ended with Kewku Lucan curling over. 

An injury to Parish ended his afternoon and Joe Muscatt replaced him before Ade Shokunbi launched an effort into Danson Park

Durojaiye again tried his luck but Vose saved comfortably but it was Welling goalkeeper Jack Sims who showed the virtue of concentration as, having had little to do all afternoon, he was called upon to make an outstanding save from Bagasan Graham’s pile-driver.

That was to prove crucial as Welling scored in their next attack. Bradley Stevenson found Campbell and although his shot was well saved by Vose, it fell into the path of Barnes who bundled home from close range.

Substitute Daniel Carr thought that he had made it two when he got in behind but Vose made a brilliant save. Carr again came close when meeting a Campbell cross but Chambers got back to clear off the line before he turned provider when setting up Stevenson but he missed his kick.

Denilson Carvalho had a drive deflected over for the visitors whose misery was made complete when, after the final whistle, Toby Stevenson said something unnecessary to an assistant referee. He made referee Alex Blake aware resulting in a red card for the Billericay man.

Welling United: Sims, Barnes, Penney, Durojaiye, Pearce, Statham, Shokunbi, Parish (Muscatt 57), Akinyemi (Carr 68), Krabbendam (Stevenson 68), Campbell.

Subs not used: Ezennolim, Stewart.

Goalscorers: Barnes (81)

Yellow cards: Penney, Campbell

Red cards: None

Billericay Town: Vose, Wind (Foxley 87), Stevenson, Lee (Graham 68), Ekpiteta , Chambers, Pinto, Sutherland, Liburd, Lucan (Carvalho 87), Felix.

Subs not used: Wilson, Hinds. 

Goalscorers: None

Yellow cards: Pinto, Ekpiteta 

Red cards: Stevenson

Referee: Alex Blake

Assistants: Paul Kelly and Toby Enstone

Attendance: 564

Pictures supplied by Will Allen.