Any hopes that Welling United had of beating a mostly second string Lincoln City were dashed by sloppiness in the opening spell of each half.

Danny Cowley, Lincoln’s manager, made eight changes from their midweek victory at Solihull Moors yet were still able to cruise to victory.

Sean Francis and Jordan Brown returned to the Wings team that lost at St Albans in midweek meaning Welling had their strongest team available but they were no match for the Vanarama National League leaders.

Francis made an uncharacteristic faux-pas in just the eighth minute to gift the Imps the lead. His attempted back pass was nowhere near to reaching Chris Lewington and Dayle Southwell took full advantage with an unerring finish on his Imps debut.

More sloppiness allowed Josh Ginnelly space down the wing but Rickie Hayles did enough to put off Jack Muldoon who fouled the Welling defender as he headed over.

Ginnelly then broke straight through the middle but Lewington made an excellent save to keep the deficit down to one goal.

Pierre Joseph-Dubois and Adam Coombes had chances for Welling as they finally got into the game but they headed wide and over respectively.

As the first half came to a close Ginnelly again raced through the middle and, once more, Lewington made a superb block.

Southwell had a chance early in the second half but shot straight at Lewington before Welling again shot themselves in the foot.

Sam Hatton gave the ball away and when Alan Power put Joe Ward in behind, he made no mistake.

One minute later, Ward collected a return pass from Jack Muldoon, and fired beyond the helpless Lewington.

Hayles had a header easily saved before Welling did pull a goal back. Hatton atoned for his earlier error with a superb free kick delivery and Danny Waldren rose to glance his header home.

Hatton had a shot easily saved and Coombes hit a free kick into the wall as Welling looked to try and make things more difficult for the visitors but they missed a great chance of their own when substitute Adam Marriott shot just the wrong side of the post.

Waldren headed over from a Fish cross for Welling then Terry Hawkridge sliced an effort horribly when well placed for Lincoln.

Further half chances came and went for Francis and Harry Crawford before Lewington made his final excellent save of the match, in injury time, to keep out Marriott.

 

 

Welling United: Lewington, Fish, Brown, Hatton (Slabber 82), Hayles, Francis, Nanetti, Waldren, Crawford, Coombes, Joseph-Dubois (Walker 59).

Subs not used: Fuseini, Johnson, Leacock.

 

Lincoln: Farman, Long, Howe, McCombe (Raggett 82), Ridge, Ward, Power, Whitehouse, Ginnelly (Wood 61); Muldoon, Southwell (Marriott 66).

Subs not used: Walker, Anderson.

 

 

Referee: Adrian Quelch

Assistants: Nick Dunn and Sam Ogles

 

Attendance: 743

 

Welling star player: Chris Lewington

Pictures supplied by Dave Budden.