Two first half goals were sufficient for Welling United to see off a determined East Thurrock United side.

Brendan Kiernan and Jack Jebb were on target as Welling moved back up into fourth place, four points behind the league leaders.

Tom Derry came close to putting East Thurrock ahead in the early minutes when his header flew back off the bar.

Evergreen Sam Higgins then saw his free kick deflected over by the defensive wall before Roman Michael-Percil was sent away but Dan Wilks was out quickly to make an excellent block.

However, with sixteen minutes on the clock it was Welling who went ahead. Jebb sent over a deep corner and Kiernan met it with a guiding volley that gave Jack Giddens no chance.

David Ijaha, Bradley Goldberg and Danny Mills all had chances before Welling increased their lead. Mills showed great skill and determination to hold it up in midfield before playing out to Craig Braham-Barrett. He looked up and found Jebb on the edge of the area and he showed good composure to fire low into the bottom corner.

Goldberg was thwarted by an outstanding Giddens save before Michael-Percil went down in the Welling penalty area and was cautioned for diving.

At the other end, Welling were awarded a penalty after Kiernan was clipped by Tom Stephen but Giddens read Goldberg’s intentions and made the save.

After the interval both teams had half-chances before a Harry Lee drive brought a regulation save out of Wilks.

His next save was anything but straight-forward. Derry sent a curler towards the top corner but Wilks dived full length to tip it over.

Then it was Giddens turn to make a stunning save from Goldberg’s shot following good work by John Paul Kissock.

Jebb’s corner found Mills at the far post and his towering header was kept out by another great save at point-blank range.

Kiernan was next to be left frustrated when his shot from the edge of the area was tipped over acrobatically.

Wilks had to be alert at the other end when coming out quickly to make a great block as Derry broke through.

After that, Welling saw out the game in relative comfort and almost added a third when Kiernan’s shot from a tight angle went out of the post and Giddens.

 

Welling United: Wilks, Hurst Braham-Barrett, Ijaha, Ambroisine, Audel, L’Ghoul, Jebb (Kissock 61), Mills, Goldberg (McCallum 77), Kiernan (Mendy 84).

Subs not used: Mendes, McDonald.

 

East Thurrock United: Giddens, Miller (Moncur 54), Stephen, Egan, Scott, Burns, Derry (Orsi-Dadomo 75), Lee, Higgins, Marlow (Bedford 75), Michael-Percil.

 

Welling United:

Goalscorers: Kiernan (16), Jebb (26)

Yellow cards: Audel

Red cards: None

 

East Thurrock United:

Goalscorers: None

Yellow cards: Derry, Michael-Percil, Bedford

Red cards: None

 

Referee: Robert Massey-Ellis

Assistants: Ryan Williams and Richie Watkins

 

Attendance: 547

 

Welling star player: Brendan Kiernan

Pictures supplied by Dave Budden.