Welling slipped to their second consecutive league defeat when beaten at home by Kidderminster Harriers.

On ‘Non League Day’, an annual event celebrating football at grass-root level, the spectators attracted by the cheaper admittance prices will have been impressed by the visitors first half performance along with the Wings’ spirited showing in the second period.

Kidderminster went ahead in the tenth minute in the first attack of any substance from either team. Anthony Malbon found James Dance and the wide man finished with a curling shot that gave Lee Butcher no chance.

After Alex Dyer had shot wide for Welling, Malbon came close to doubling the Harriers’ lead with a clever flick that beat Butcher but also the far post.

Malbon was close once more but was again off target having brought a high ball down well before Ross Lafayette almost embarrassed Nathan Vaughan with a shot he failed to handle cleanly.

Dance scored his and Kidderminster’s second goal in the 25^th minute. He will be indebted to Lee Vaughan whose run and accurate cross gave him an easy header at the near post.

Lafayette had another shot saved as Welling hoped to make a quick response and Lee Clarke wasn’t far wide soon after.

Once again Malbon caused Welling problems when he spun well but Butcher was equal to the shot.

Goalkeeper Vaughan’s suspect handling once again could have caused him problems but there was no-one following up as he fluffed Jack Obersteller’s shot.

Early in the second period Joe Healy headed over from Lafayette’s cross before Butcher saved a shot from full back Vaughan.

Jamie Day made three substitutions in four minutes and they all appeared to add impetus to Welling. One of them, Malik Ouani making his first league start for Welling, did well to set up Lafayette but the Wings leading scorer was unable to find the target.

Referee Nicholas Kinseley turned down a strong Welling penalty appeal when Lafayette was hauled to the ground. Frustration got the better of Kurtis Guthrie who was cautioned for a foul, joining Jake Gallagher and Blaine Hudson who had been booked earlier.

Steve Burr then made his three substitutions and one of them, new signing Amari Morgan-Smith, headed over from Kyle Storer’s delivery.

Nine minutes remained on the clock when Loui Fazakerley marked his return to the team after a two week absence with a well taken goal from Lafayette’s knock down.

Guthrie had a header saved by Vaughan before the Kidderminster stopper punched a teasing Guthrie cross over his own bar unconvincingly.

Ouani had one last chance for Welling but Josh Gowling was on hand to make the all important block.

 

Welling United: Butcher, Bergqvist, Jack Obersteller, Gallagher (Ouani), Franks. Hudson, Dyer, Clarke (Fazakerley), Pires (Guthrie 75), Lafayette, Healy.

Unused substitutes: Mott, Joe Obersteller.

Kidderminster Harriers: N. Vaughan, L. Vaughan, Demetriou, Storer, Dunkley, Fowler (Johnson 76), Gash (Morgan-Smith 70), Malbon (Blissett 70), Jackman, Dance, Gowling.

Unused substitutes: Lewis, Angus.

Referee: Nicholas Kinseley

Attendance: 911

Welling star man: Alex Dyer