Elliot Long’s early goal was enough to give Welling United victory over Ebbsfleet United in their pre-season friendly.

With the start of the season approaching, both managers are close to finalising their squads and are now fine tuning them.

Long’s goal came in just the fourth minute after Welling had pressed the Ebbsfleet defence into making a mistake. Oscar Borg was played clear and although his shot was beaten out by Harrison Firth, Long was following up and made no mistake when sweeping home.

He had another opportunity soon after but Firth saved before his flicked header from Gene Kennedy’s free kick went just wide.

Despite Welling continued to press, they were almost caught out by a smart Ebbsfleet break ending when Franklin Domi shot just over. Martell Taylor-Crossdale then drew another save out of Firth and it came out to TJ Bramble who played it back to Kennedy who curled over.

Greg Cundle then wriggled his way through and shot towards the near post where Welling goalkeeper Rhys Lovett had to be alert to charge it out. Another sloppy pass in midfield by Ebbsfleet allowed Long to break but, with no support, he had to go alone and he fired wide.

Bramble shot just over with the outside of his boot before another Kennedy effort was beaten out by Firth after the Fleet defence had been pressurised into making another mistake.

Defensive errors continued to blight the visitors after the break and Bramble dispossessed a centre-back and played it out to Taylor-Crossdale who’s attempt was blocked. Kennedy then hit an effort with minimal back-lift that rippled the outside of the net before Toby Edser went close for Ebbsfleet with a shot that flew back out off the post.

Both teams then made multiple changes and the flow of the match was disrupted before Welling came close again in the final ten minutes when their trialist centre half went up for a free kick and headed Harvey Walker’s cross just over.

In the closing minutes, Walker did well to clear off the line when a corner almost sneaked in at the near post. However, Welling had the last chance when Jack Munns was sent clear through only for his early shot to be saved.

Shortly afterwards the referee ended proceedings a few seconds early.

Welling United: Lovett, Johnson, Borg (H. Walker 65), Birchall, Trialist, Wells (Trialist 85), Long (Munns 79), Kennedy (Trialist 85), Taylor-Crossdale, (Chukwu 73), A. Grant (Cornish 73), Bramble (Z. Walker 65). Sub not used: Pitterson.

Goalscorer: Long (4)

Ebbsfleet United: Firth, Tanga (Chapman 64), Thomas, Phillips, Cordner (Trialist 64), Dallison (John 46), Cundle (Tanner 70), Domi, Edser, Fonguck, Poleon. Subs not used: Cousins, O’Neill, Page, Wright, Kellerman, Samuel.

Goalscorers: None

Yellow card: Phillips

Images courtesy of Dave Budden