A solitary goal by Cameron Andrews was enough to give Welling United victory in their friendly with Erith and Belvedere.

In what might have been billed as the battle of Park View Road, the two teams who ground share at the ground played out a low key ninety minutes.

There were different benefits in playing the game for the two sides. For the Wings it was an opportunity to give squad players minutes in their legs, and under 23 players experience of men’s football.

Manager Warren Feeney was away scouting, and his assistant Sam Cox played so first team coach, Craig Holloway organised from the bench.

Due to an early F.A. Cup exit, the Deres hadn’t played for over a week, so it was useful for them to have a run out ahead of their F.A. Vase game on Saturday at East Preston.

Bradley Ryan had the first chance for Erith when he got in behind, but he shot wide. Fraser Walker then had a shot parried away by the Welling trialist goalkeeper before Ryan found Malachi Hudson, but his shot from a tight angle went beyond the far post.

Palace Francis headed wide for Welling from a Medy Elito corner before the former Bromley striker had a shot bundled into the side netting by Adam Molloy.

Hudson thought that he had put the Deres ahead, but he had strayed offside, and the strike was chalked out.

Ryan Johnson marshalled his defence superbly and Welling were caught offside repeatedly as the first half petered out.

At the break, both teams made substitutions and an Erith replacement, Reece Barrett, headed wide from a Ben Wilson free kick before Welling went ahead. Andrews nicked it away from the defender and went down as he attempted to round Molloy. The referee didn’t seem too interested but an assistant flagged, and a penalty was awarded. Andrews took it himself and Molloy committed himself early allowing the young Wing to slot home.

Another Welling chance came and went when one of their young substitutes burst down the right but blasted off target before Jed Smith met a Frankie Sawyer cross but Welling substitute goalkeeper Sam Jackson made an outstanding save.

Two young Wings combined to create a chance, but Molly made a fine save then Chi Ezennolim tricked his way through however he was unable to prod it in.

Although having doubts about the penalty decision, Deres manager Tony Beckingham should be happy that the game was good preparation for their first match on the road to Wembley.

Welling United starting line-up: Trialist, Barnes, Ezennolim, Trialist, Cox, Strachan, Trialist, Andrews, Papadopoulos, Francis, Elito.

Substitutes: Jackson, Ampabeng, Christie, Murray, Bowen, Sesay-Ince, Okunola, Aramburo.

Erith and Belvedere starting line-up: Molloy, Walker, Wilson, Wade, Huckle, Johnson, Richardson-Brown, Ryan, Aderonmu, Hudson, Palmer.

Substitutes: McFarlane, Sawyer, Barrett, Hawkins, Monger, Ward, Smith, Purcell, Arnold.

Pictures supplied by Dave Budden.