Victory over Hungerford Town ensured that Welling United didn’t suffer a winless October.

In four league games, and one F.A. Cup tie, the Wings had claimed just two points and a win was much needed to stop their season from going off-track.

There may have been a little anxiety for the Welling team in the first half as they struggled to find any cohesion. Early on Ade Azeez had a shot blocked for Welling before Niko Muir scuffed a shot over for the visitors when the Wings struggled to clear a corner.

Sid Nelson headed over from a Chi Ezennolim corner at one end then George Smith screwed a shot wide after Claudio Ofuso’s effort was blocked at the other.

Kai McKenzie-Lyle then came to Welling’s rescue when Sammy Ompreon squared across the edge of the penalty area and former Wing Ben Allen connected sweetly but the Welling goalkeeper got down well to save.

Azeez then had a couple of late first half chances for the Wings. Sam Cox sent in a long throw that Manny Parry flicked on, but Azeez hooked over from close range.

Then Yaser Kasim crossed, Tom Dickens headed back across the face of goal, but Azeez headed over from close range.

After the half time break, Welling continued to search for the opener and Ezennolim sent in a low cross shot that came back off the post and Hungerford goalkeeper Tyla Dickinson, but it didn’t fall kindly for the Wings and Hungerford cleared. Azeez was then brought down on the edge of the penalty area, but Taylor Maloney couldn’t beat the defensive wall.

Kasim missed his kick in front of goal before Devante Aransibia was brought on and made an almost immediate impact. Antony Papadopoulos and Ezennolim combined well, and the latter burst into the penalty area only to be brought down by Allen. Aransibia took the responsibility from the spot and gave Dickinson no chance.

Papadopoulos was at full stretch and unable to finish from a diagonal Ezennolim pass before a deep Callum Willmoth cross picked out Matt Berry-Hargreaves, but McKenzie-Lyle saved his header easily.

More clever skills from Papadopoulos allowed him to find Aransibia who squared for Ezennolim.

Dickinson was unable to hold his shot but recovered quickly to save bravely from Azeez.

Ezennolim then had a shot cleared off the line and Papadopoulos’s follow up was blocked before it fell into the path of Kasim who shot over.

Ofuso had a shot pushed wide by McKenzie-Lyle and Jerry Gyebi headed wide from the corner delivered by Ryan Jones however most of the action was at the other end and Dickinson made a brilliant reaction save from Papadopoulos after he had been found by Ezennolim.

Dickinson made another great save when turning over a Kasim free kick before Welling were reduced to ten men when Kassarate was deemed reckless when making a tackle and he was shown a red card.

Despite being down to ten men, Welling still created chances. Cameron Andrews came on for his debut and almost marked it with a goal, but Dickinson again made a superb save before the Crusaders’ goalkeeper made another incredible stop to keep out Azeez.

As a result of their victory, Welling have moved back up to eighth in the table ahead of their derby at Dartford on Tuesday evening.

Welling United: McKenzie-Lyle, Cox, Ezennolim, Parry, Nelson (Dickens 35), Kassarate. Kasim (Andrews 89), Papadopoulos, Azeez, Maloney (Aransibia 59).

Subs not used: Pitterson, Kamara.

Goalscorers: Aransibia pen (63)

Yellow cards: Parry

Red card: Kassarate

Hungerford Town: Dickinson, Angell, Jones, Willmoth, Gyebi, Berry Hargreaves, Ompreon (Rollinson 73), Smith (Rusby 60), Muir, Ofuso, Allen (Lynch 73).

Subs not used: Evans, Bailey.

Goalscorers: None

Yellow cards: Smith, Willmoth

Referee: Jack Packman

Assistants: Daniel Procter and Peter Conn

Attendance: 629

Pictures supplied by Dave Budden.