Bradley Stevenson’s goal earned Welling United the three points in a hard fought game against Tonbridge Angels.

However, goalkeeper Jack Sims and the three Welling centre halves deserve the plaudits for keeping a clean sheet against the visitors who enjoyed the better of the possession.

Steve McKimm’s team came out the quicker and Sims had to be out quickly to clear a long ball over the top before a deep cross by Ricky Modeste was hooked over by Aaron Smith-Joseph. Ibrahim Olutade had a shot blocked into the path of Adam Lovatt but his shot was well saved by Simms.

Modeste sent over another cross but it was slightly behind Olutade and his header looped comfortably by Sims before Welling had a half chance of their own when Daniel Carr was unable to guide Aaron Barnes’ cross goal-wards.

Tom Beere curled a free kick over the wall but wide of the goal but it was Welling who opened the scoring. Arthur Penney sent a long raking pass that was inch perfect for Stevenson and his first touch put him clear to fire past Jonathan Henly.

Kristian Campbell might have made it two soon after when cutting in from the left but his low ball across the six yard box went just wide of the far post. Aaron Barnes then went on a great run down the other side beating player after player but as Stevenson shaped to shoot Jerry O’Sullivan made a brilliant last ditch tackle.

Lovatt, had a shot that took a deflection, but not sufficiently to worry Sims then Modeste cut in but shot well over when off balance. As the Angels continued to probe, Beere found Olutade who spun and shot but it was deflected wide.

As the first half came to a close, Carr was brought down on the edge of the penalty area but Che Krabbendam’s free kick was claimed by Henly on the bounce.

After the break Carr sent Ade Shokunbi through however Henly stood up tall to make the block before Olutade sprung the offside trap but Maxwell Statham forced him to cut across goal and he lost his balance as he shot high over.

Henly saved Carr’s header from Barnes’ cross before McKimm made a double substitution to change formation and match up with Welling. From that point on, the Angels looked the more threatening and Welling had to dig in.

Tom Parkinson had a header claimed by Sims then the Welling goalkeeper parried a shot from Beere but made a great recovery to save from Olutade. The Angels striker then spun and had a shot deflected wide before Sims made a brave low claim knowing that he was going to have to take a clout.

Krabbendam tried his luck from fully forty-five yards with a shot that Henly saved easily but Sims was soon back in action again when making another excellent save when a deep cross found Modeste who fired goal-wards.

Sims started the game by reading the game and coming out to clear and he finished by doing the same thing to win the full three points.

Welling United: Sims, Barnes, Penney, Durojaiye, Pearce, Statham, Shokunbi, Stevenson, Carr (Stewart 81), Krabbendam, Campbell.

Subs not used: Ezennolim, Ilic, Richards.

Goalscorers: Stevenson (23)

Yellow cards: Shokunbi

Tonbridge Angels: Henly, O’Sullivan (Wood 53), Braham-Barrett, Lovatt, Miles, Parkinson, Loft, Beere, Olutade (Hutchinson 63), Smith-Joseph (Hudson 53), Modeste.

Subs not used: Fielding, Zamani. 

Goalscorers: None 

Yellow cards: Braham-Barrett

Referee: Michael Ryan 

Assistants: Timothy Godfray and Peter Lowe 

Attendance: 776

Pictures supplied by Dave Budden.