Vanarama National League South safety is not guaranteed for Welling United but their victory over Torquay United put them in a strong position.

It has been a tough time for the visitors from Devon who have been docked ten points and have now been placed in administration. Without the deduction they would be comfortably in mid-table, however they came into the game at the J. Hearnden Skip Hire Community Stadium three points behind the Wings having played one game fewer.

Both teams struggled to create opportunities in the opening stages with final passes going astray. Cameron Green delivered a free kick that was headed back into the area by Jack Burchell but nobody was able to get onto the end of it. A good move involving Jason Adigun and Lema Crossley made space for Green to lay it back for Anthony Grant and his twenty-five yard effort arrowed just wide.

Jack Stobbs was unable to find the target from a free kick from a promising position before Torquay made life more difficult for themselves. Green burst away but slightly over-hit it inviting Ross Marshall to try and nick it away. Unfortunately for the Gulls, he was a little too excited and dived in with both feet raised and referee Nathan Oakes brandished his red card.

Five minutes later, Welling went ahead. Green found Adigun on the left and he cut in before shooting under Torquay goalkeeper Mark Halstead.

Brett McGavin shot over for the Gulls from twenty-five yards before Torquay could have found themselves in more trouble in first half stoppage time when a wild challenge by Will Jenkins-Davies was punished by a yellow card.

There was still chance for Welling to create one more chance when Lachlan Byrd headed wide of the near post from Riccardo Di Trolio’s throw in.

After the break, Welling were pinned back as the visitors looked to make the most of kicking down the slope. Reice Charles-Cook was called into action for the first time when making a good save from Brett McGavin.

Tom Lapslie then managed to head over the bar from inside the six yard box after Duane Ofori-Acheampong’s flick caused Welling problems. McGavin again came close when his shot was deflected towards the bottom corner but Charles-Cook made an excellent save tipping it round the post.

Former Dartford and Dover Athletic striker, Ofori-Acheampong then missed a glorious chance when meeting Arkell Jude-Boyd’s deep cross at close range but he failed to hit the target.

Rod Stringer, the Welling manager, responded by bringing on Joe Ellul for Green, and then Gene Kennedy for David Amoo. That stemmed the flow and after Lapslie had a tame shot saved by Charles-Cook, the Welling goalkeeper was rarely troubled.

Di Trolio did well to get down the left hand side before pulling it back to Kennedy whose vicious strike flew inches wide. Adigun then shot past the near post after Reece Grant had done well to make the space, before Burchell shot wide after Torquay struggled with Lema’s pull back from the bye-line.

As Torquay threw men forward, Welling had chances on the counter. Adigun broke and found Antony Papadopoulos who held it up well. He waited for Reece Grant to join the attack but the hard working striker fired over.

Asa Hall had a shot deflected wide for the visitors but despite an additional seven minutes being played, Torquay didn’t trouble the Wings again and it was they who came closest to scoring again when Reece Grant’s clip was just off target.

On Wednesday evening, Welling visit Havant and Waterlooville knowing that a victory could assure their safety.

Welling United: Charles-Cook, Lema (Johnson 87), Green (Ellul 57), Byrd, Burchell, Di Trolio, Adigun, A. Grant, Amoo (Kennedy 62), R. Grant, Papadopoulos. Subs not used: Roscrow, Munns.

Goalscorers: Adigun (32)

Yellow cards: Stringer, Adigun, Papadopoulos

Torquay United: Halstead, Marshall, Jude-Boyle, Lapslie (Ash 77), Hall, Moxey, Stobbs, Dawson (McGavin 29), Oforie-Acheampong, Jenkins-Davies, McGavin, Archer (Tomlinson 23). Unused Subs not used: Collins, Lovett.

Goalscorers: None

Yellow cards: Dawson, Jenkins-Davies

Red card: Marshall (27)

Referee: Nathan Oakes

Assistants: Daniel Johnson and David Payne

Attendance: 730

Images courtesy of Dave Budden