Pre-season finished for Welling with a defeat at home to a good Millwall side.
Although it was not a full strength Millwall team, there were several players with first team experience and the final scoreline was a little harsh on their hosts.
After a quiet first fifteen minutes, Millwall went ahead when Callum Butcher knocked down Jamie Philpot’s cross and Kris Twardek’s shot was deflected beyond Chris Lewington.
Philpot almost made it two when latching onto David Worrall’s ball but was unable to keep his drive under the bar.
Bradley Goldberg was the first Welling player to test Tom King but his angled shot was saved comfortably.
Tom Bradbrook headed wide for Welling before Millwall doubled their lead. Tony Craig dinked over with the outside of his boot and found the net via the far post.
Ben Jefford was unable to get his right foot around his shot following good work by Goldberg, then the former Bromley striker again brought a save out of King.
Butcher got in behind the Welling defence and lobbed Lewington but his effort came back off the bar then Welling came equally close when King tipped Bradbrook’s header from Jefford’s free kick on to the woodwork.
At the break, Welling made their first change bringing on Alfie Pavey for Bradbrook and he made a quick impression when heading home from Connor Dymond’s corner despite the best efforts from Craig on the line.
Sean Francis then brought an excellent save out of substitute goalkeeper Ryan Sandford with a towering header from Dymond’s corner.
Six minutes remained when Millwall made the game safe with a 30 yard screamer from Noah Chesmain.
It was harsh on Welling two minutes later when they were caught out at the back and Philpot finished comfortably.
Welling United: Lewington, Dymond, Jefford (Durojaiye 77), Parkinson, Francis (Parter 77), Coyle, Nanetti (Johnson 77), Healy, Bradbrook (Pavey 46), Goldberg, Pattisson.
Unused substitutes: O’Malley, Joseph-Dubois.
Millwall: King (Sandford 61), Romeo (McNamara 61), Craig (Chesmain 61), Donovan, Brown, Mbulu, Worrall, Thompson (Leighton 63), Philpot, Butcher (Barbosa 54), Twardek (White 76).
Unused substitute: None.
Referee: Ian Fissenden
Assistant Referees: Thomas Marshall and Ryan Whitaker
Fourth official: Peter Cruise
Pictures supplied by Dave Budden.